The fate of the South African team (Bafana Bafana), in the Africa Cup of Nations hangs in the balance as they played a draw with the Nigerian team, giving the Super Eagles the wings to qualify for the next AFCON finals in Cameroon.
Bafana Bafana will have to wait to play with Libya in March 2019 to know if they have qualified. Libya who have 7 points are just two points behind South Africa.
On the other hand, Super Eagles have qualified with 10 points from five matches and their final game at home against Seychelles will now be for formality purposes.
In Saturday’s game which took place at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, an earlier effort by Nigeria was disallowed but Super Eagles took the lead in the ninth minute when Samuel Kalu’s cross was turned into the net by South Africa’s Buhle Mkhwanazi.
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In the 26th minute, South Africa leveled the score through Lebo Mothiba.
Nigeria’s Kenneth Omeruo failed to restore Nigeria’s lead in the 74th minute after his free header off a Kalu free kick missed target.
In the 83rd minute, Ahmed Musa’s goal was disallowed which caused an uproar on Nigeria social media as a TV replay later showed that the goal should have stood.
With the absence of Nigeria’s top scorer, Odion Ighalo, it meant Ahmed Musa would have to do withstand the burden of carrying the team.
However, Alex Iwobi showed good skills and composure to unleash an effort at Itumeleng Khune’s goal. But the South Africa’s No 1 goalkeeper made a good save.
The Man of the Match was Percy Tau.
Despite both side’s energy and positivity, the game ended in a draw and saw the Super Eagles team qualify for the AFCON.