Staff Reporter.
South Africa earned a point away as they drew 1-1 with Nigeria in their World Cup Group C game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening.
Group C has been thrown wide open after this week’s results, with Rwanda, who were the group leaders before these fixtures, losing 1-0 to Benin on Thursday. Lesotho moved above Rwanda after beating Zimbabwe 2-0 on Friday afternoon.
It was end-to-end action, with both teams looking for that opening, and it was the magic of Themba Zwane that broke the deadlock, as South Africa’s number 11 combined well in the build-up with both Aubrey Modiba then Yaya Sithole (with a great through ball for the assist) before showing composure to beat two defenders and fire in past Nwabali; Zwane’s 12th goal for Bafana making it 1-0 to South Africa in the 29th minute.
A long-range attempt from Wilfred Ndidi in the 41st minute went straight at Ronwen Williams who saved comfortably. Williams was called into action again a minute later, this time needing to make a good save to deny Paul Onuachu’s header.
At the end of an action-packed first half, Zwane’s goal was the difference.
In the 52nd minute, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru got Super Eagles back into the game with an exquisite solo effort from outside the box.
Bafana Bafana missed a good chance through over-elaboration in the 78th minute, but with the goal beckoning, players passed instead of taking a shot, before Sithole’s effort was blocked.
South Africa are currently one point behind Lesotho, but in fourth spot, while Nigeria are on three points, in fifth place. They will now shift their focus to their next crucial match, as they return to South Africa to host Zimbabwe on Tuesday, June 11th in Bloemfontein.