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| Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana played out a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, leaving their World Cup qualification in the balance. (Photo credit: Legit.com) |
On Friday, fans of the Super Eagles of Nigeria endured another night of frustration at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo as the national team battled to a 1-1 draw with the Bafana-Bafana of South Africa.
Nigeria had drawn their opening two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, meaning they’re now playing catch-up in a relatively straightforward group. The stalemate against South Africa on Friday hasn’t done the nation any good.
Coach George Finidi, in his official debut since his permanent appointment as the man in the Super Eagles dugout, handed a full debut to Fisayo Dele Bashiru and retained Stanley Nwabali in goal; Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi lined up in midfield, while Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey filed out in defence.
South Africa started brightly, forcing saves from Nwabali, and Teboho Mokoena struck the woodwork with a neatly worked freekick midway through the first half. The South Africans broke the deadlock when Mamelodi Sundowns’ maestro, Themba Zwane, fired home from the Nigerian area.
Ron Williams saved Paul Onuachu's header as the visitors continued to shut out their hosts. The crowd grew apprehensive; the home side knew they needed to come out smoking in the second half.
Seconds into the restart, Fisayo Dele Bashiru fired home a sleek one past Williams, sending the crowd into a frenzy mood. It looked like the home side was on the ascendancy, but the visitors also created clear-cut chances.
Percy Tau missed a glorious sitter, before Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze ballooned wide when it looked easier to score. Both sides made changes, but to no avail, as the game ended in a frustrating but entertaining 1-1 draw.
Nigeria will travel to Ivory Coast on Monday to take on the Squirrels of Benin Republic, while the South Africans will entertain Zimbabwe in Johannesburg on Tuesday, with a win likely to be sufficient to keep the Bafana-Bafana at the summit.