Nigeria and South Africa played to a 1-1 draw in their crucial World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday night.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored his second goal for Nigeria to equalize after Themba Zwane’s opener, leaving the Super Eagles unable to secure a win.
First Half
- Team Lineup: Finidi George started Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, a Manchester City academy product, and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who made his home debut for Nigeria.
- Formation: The Super Eagles began with an attacking 4-3-3 formation.
- Early Play: South Africa settled quickly and had the first chance when Teboho Mokoena’s free-kick hit the crossbar.
- South Africa’s Goal: Themba Zwane scored for South Africa just before the half-hour mark, taking advantage of Nigeria’s defensive lapse.
- Close Call for Nigeria: Benjamin Tanimu cleared a potential second goal for South Africa with Nwabali beaten.
- Nigeria’s Response: Towards the end of the half, Paul Onuachu’s header from an Ademola Lookman cross was saved by South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Second Half
- Nigeria’s Equalizer: Early in the second half, Onuachu and Alex Iwobi combined to set up Dele-Bashiru, who scored with a low drive.
- Penalty Shout: Nigeria had a strong penalty claim when Dele-Bashiru was fouled in the box, but the referee waved play on.
- Substitutions: Dele-Bashiru, injured in the incident, was replaced by Alhassan Yusuf.
- Chances for Nigeria: Bright Osayi-Samuel and Iwobi missed good opportunities, while Samuel Chukwueze hit the crossbar.
- Late Opportunities: Lookman had two late chances to win the game but couldn’t convert.
Conclusion
Nigeria settled for a 1-1 draw with South Africa, missing the chance to top Group C.
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Upcoming Match
Nigeria will travel to Cote d’Ivoire to face the Benin Republic on Monday. The Super Eagles have now drawn their first three qualifiers and sit second from bottom in Group C. Lesotho now leads the group after defeating Zimbabwe 2-0.
Player Ratings
- Christian Nwabali: 7/10 – Solid performance, made key saves, couldn’t stop Zwane’s goal.
- Bright Osayi-Samuel: 6.4/10 – Decent game, played out of position, looked dangerous going forward.
- Benjamin Tanimu: 6/10 – Struggled defensively, lacked positional awareness.
- Semi Ajayi: 6.9/10 – Strong defensively, good passing, but beaten for Zwane’s goal.
- Calvin Bassey: 6.5/10 – Confident performance, good passing, could have done better on South Africa’s goal.
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru: 7.1/10 – Scored Nigeria’s goal, linked play well, subbed off injured.
- Wilfred Ndidi: 6.9/10 – Controlled the midfield, limited South Africa’s chances.
- Alex Iwobi: 6.5/10 – Provided the assist, missed a late chance.
- Ademola Lookman: 7.2/10 – Created chances, forced saves, missed late opportunities.
- Paul Onuachu: 5.6/10 – Ineffective, one shot on target, replaced by Terem Moffi.
- Kelechi Iheanacho: 5.9/10 – Ineffective on the right, replaced by Samuel Chukwueze.
Substitutes:
- Alhassan Yusuf: 6.6/10 – Injected energy, involved in key plays.
- Samuel Chukwueze: 6/10 – More effective than Iheanacho, hit the crossbar.
- Raphael Onyedika: – Came on late, contributed to a counter-attack opportunity.
