Photo Courtesy Kickoff The Super Eagles were supposed to come charging out after their home defeat to Congo but they had to settle for a poi...
The Super Eagles were supposed to come charging out after their home defeat to Congo but they had to settle for a point against a rejuvenated south African side led by Shakes Mashaba.
In a match that ebbed and flowed the last 10 minutes of the game were the most engaging as both sides had scoring chances. The Super Eagles had a certain goal cleared on the line while Austin Ejide made a game saving save to preserve a point.
Manyisa could have given the Bafana Bafana the start they wanted in the sixth minute but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Efe Ambrose and in the 18th minute, Ejide went chasing a ball outside his box.
The Eagles had their first chance in the 32nd minute when a corner kick by Ahmed Musa had to be parried for another corner kick.
Igiebor then had a chance a minute later but he could not keep his shot down from the edge of the box.
In the 40th minute, Ogenyi Onazi, who it must be said was a bit listless all match dilly-dallied on clearing a ball in the box which got Coach Stephen Keshi on his feet. At the end of the first half, the South Africans would have been best pleased.
The second half started the way the first ended with the South Africans through Dean Furman and Mandla Masango, who won the man of the match, continued to get the better of Nosa Igiebor and Mikel Obi.
Gbolahan Salami, who scored in Calabar, could not find his feet and he was pulled off in the 62nd minute for Osaguona Ighodaro. And the Enugu Rangers striker almost won the match for the Nigerians in the 80th minute when his goal bound header was cleared on the line.
Bafana Bafana then almost won the game five minutes later when Thokelo Rantie ran through and went one-on-one with Austin Ejide, who saved with his right leg though Kenneth Omeruo then did not clear the ball very well but the South Africans could not hit the mark.
Both coaches would have been happy with the point with Congo now topping Group A with six points as they beat Sudan 2-0. The Eagles will have another chance for redemption in November when they face Sudan in back-to-back matches.
