Nigeria and South Africa settled for a 1-1 blueprint of their necessary World Cup qualifier on the Godswill Akpabio World Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored his second purpose for Nigeria to rupture out a aesthetic Themba Zwane opener because the Wonderful Eagles didn’t waft previous the guests.
How it took place
First half
Finidi handed Manchester Metropolis academy product Fisayo Dele-Bashiru a affirm on the initiating lineup while Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made his dwelling debut for the Wonderful Eagles after incomes eleven caps on away grounds.
With the workers on the initiating put residence up in a thrilling-taking a look 4-3-3, the Wonderful Eagles played on the entrance foot within the outlet stages.
Nonetheless, South Africa’s instant passing transfer allowed the Bafana Bafana to fleet settle and it became the guests who had the first probability of the game when a Teboho Mokoena free-kick grazed Nwabali’s crossbar.
South Africa took the lead their aesthetic play deserved correct before the half-hour ticket after Themba Zwane danced previous a sleepy Nigeria defence to fire beyond Nwabali.
🚨 GOAL! South Africa take dangle of the lead in opposition to Nigeria. 0-1 pic.twitter.com/ve4at1l3aw
— Ghana Naija Ballers (@GHNaijaBallers) June 7, 2024
The guests came end to a second rapidly after nonetheless Benjamin Tanimu became on hand to transfer the ball away with Nwabali beaten.
Leisurely within the half, Nigeria in a roundabout method had a sniff at purpose nonetheless Onuachu, most neatly-liked in assault to Victor Boniface, placed his header from an Ademola Lookman sinful end to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The Bafana Bafana headed into the dressing room at halftime the happier of the 2 groups while the Wonderful Eagles would had been silently contented to be only dull by a lone purpose.
2nd half
After using their perfect fortune for basically the most efficient section of the outlet half, Nigeria came out smoking within the second half and all of a sudden seen their efforts rewarded.
Onuachu blended neatly with Iwobi after which the Fulham man fed Dele-Bashiru, who became brilliantly to rupture a low drive into the gain.
— Ibukun Aluko (@IbkSports) June 7, 2024
Nigeria had a moral bawl for a penalty rapidly after when Dele-Bashiru became hacked down within the sphere nonetheless the referee shockingly waved play on.
Goalscorer Dele-Bashiru didn’t salvage properly from that knock and he became modified on the hour ticket by Alhassan Yusuf.
The Wonderful Eagles had been showing more wrestle than within the first half and the potentialities began to launch up for the dwelling workers.
Colorful Osayi-Samuel had the peek of purpose after Onuachu played him in nonetheless the Fenerbahce fullback fired straight at goalkeeper Williams.
Iwobi then fired high and wide when properly placed before change Samuel Chukwueze smashed one into the crossbar after a clear one-two with Yusuf.
Nigeria had two dull potentialities thru Lookman to notify a discover nonetheless the Atalanta man might presumably maybe also not salvage the efficiency he showed within the last of the Europa League last month.
In the discontinue, Finidi George’s Eagles settled for a blueprint with the Bafana to lose the possibility to scoot high of Neighborhood C.
What subsequent?
Nigeria will head to Cote d’Ivoire the put they’ll face the Benin Republic on Monday.
The Wonderful Eagles occupy now drawn their first three games within the qualifiers and sit down second from bottom.
Neighborhood C now has a new chief after Lesotho climbed above all their rivals following a thrilling 2-0 discover away to Zimbabwe.
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