x

Eagles and Bafana stifle themselves to 1-1 draw in Uyo

My Adams Jezil

Nigeria and South Africa picked up a point each in their much-publicised clash in Uyo on Friday, to leave less-fancied Lesotho perched on top of Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series.

AFCON bronze medallist South Africa drew the first blood after 29 minutes, when Themba Zwane waltzed his way past the Nigerian defence and was left unchallenged to fire past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from close range.

Before then, Paul Onuachu had headed over from close range a cross by the nifty Ademola Lookman in the third minute, and five minutes later, Alex Iwobi shot too high when presented with an opportunity to rattle goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

At the other end, Nwabali got the capacity crowd cheering with a double save from Zwane and Iqraam Rayners in the 10th minute. Seven minutes later, Teboho Mokoena saw the ball kiss the croosbar from his sharp delivery off a 20-yard free-kick.

After Zwane’s goal, it was Bafana all the way, and Benjamin Tanimu had to be diligent to avoid an own goal as Percy Tau and Zwane caught the Nigerian rearguard napping again.

Nigeria restored parity with only a minute into the second half, when Alex Iwobi fed Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the box, and the Turkey-based midfielder turned brilliantly to lash past Ronwen Williams.

Nigeria dominated afterwards, with substitute Samuel Chukwueze hitting the underside of the bar in a flowing move, Lookman shooting away from goal with three minutes left, and the Europa Cup final hero drawing a full-length save from Williams in added time.

The draw means Lesotho, who defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 earlier on Friday, remain top of the group with five points, while South Africa, Benin Republic and Rwanda are on four points, with Nigeria on three.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Why Delta Governor, Oborevwori, other stakeholders, defect to APC 

By Anne Azuka In a massive political realignment that reverberated...

OPSH foils attack on Teegbe village of Bassa LGA , neutralises armed robbers in Plateau

By Isreal Adamu,Jos Troops of Operation Safe Haven  deployed to...

FG To Support Benue Govt Towards Tackling Insecurity As Death Toll Now 73 In Recent Attacks 

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has assured...

Wike Lauds Okowa’s Support For Tinubu

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has lauded...

Warri Residents commend Julius Berger for constructing quality roads and bridges

We’re making tremendous progress, says Project ManagerBy Lucy OmakpoResidents,...

Wike to Investigate Sublet of ICC Contract

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister Barr. Nysome Wike has...

Bad: 80% Women Die from Firewood Toxic Smoke -Minister

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe Minister of Women Affairs, Imaani Suleiman-Ibrahim...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img