It's still seven months away, and events between now and then is largely covered in uncertainty, but one thing is certain; come 15 June 2019 the Super Eagles of Nigeria will don the green-white-green colours at the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, having missed out on the last two editions in 2015 and 2017. It's been a long journey, one that began with a false step in that 2-0 home loss to South Africa, but the prize has been worth the effort. Even more so in the light of that opening loss to the same opponents, with whom a 1-1 draw here at the FNB stadium in Soweto was enough to clinch the AFCON ticket with a game to spare. The euphoria generated in the build up to this tie would have led many to think this was a game between two opponents who have had their hands at each other's throat over the years. However in 13 meetings, make that 14, the Super Eagles have lost just twice against the South Africans, winning 7 of those. There was a lot riding on this game, a win for the hosts would have clinched the AFCON ticket, any other result and the Eagles had mission accomplished.
Ready for action: In their effervescent colours, the Super Eagles dazzled and clinched the AFCON 2019 ticket
Stat : In 14 meetings with South Africa, the Super Eagles have won half of those (7) and lost just twice. Dominant
Coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr made some injury and suspension enforced changes. Ikechukwu Ezenwa replacing Frank Uzoho in goal and John Ogu coming in for the suspended Wilfred Ndidi. Up front Kelechi Iheanacho led the line in the absence of top scorer Odion Ighalo. In a fast start, a long ball down the right flank, in the second minute, got South African full-back Thamsanga Mkhize in behind but his cross was far from decent, picking out the corner flag rather than a teammate. In the high altitude, the Eagles' were happy to cede possession and hit the South Africans with incisive counter attacks. The back three of Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, and Troost Ekong, sometimes a back five with wing backs Samuel Kalu and Jamiu Collins tucking in , kept the possession savvy hosts at bay. A nice interchange between Ahmed Musa -a bright spark for most of the game - saw the latter's shot saved, and South Africa's counter through the lively Percy Tau was snuffed out in the open exchanges. The Eagles should, but for some questionable refereeing, have gone ahead in the 8th minute. Intelligent pressing saw possession nicked off the South Africans, and Iheanacho down the middle drew the hosts' backline out of possession and slotted Ahmed Musa in who returned the favour for the Leicester City striker to finish into an empty net, only for the linesman to incorrectly rule the strike for offside. A call --one of two such controversial calls on the day-- that left many aghast with surprise with each replay. But you can only ride your luck for so long. Nigeria deservedly edged in front, Samuel Kalu teasing the left back and fizzing in a cross which was turned into his own net by Buhle Mkhwanazi.
All green and good: Samuel Kalu (right) created the opener with a fizzed cross into the box, which was turned into his own net by Buhle Mkhwanazi (not pictured)
Stat : Nigeria's opener was the first goal South Africa have conceded in five qualifying games so far. Breached.
The South Africans to their credit recovered from the setback and began to assert themselves on proceedings, their movement and precision in passing causing issues in the Nigerian ranks --who missed the defensive shield of Wilfred Ndidi. Loading the space in between wing back and centre backs for the lively Percy Tau --voted man of the match -- to attack. The threat of the Super Eagles though was prominent especially through Ahmed Musa whose corner on the 24th minute found Kalu but his shot failed to trouble Itumeleng Khune in goal for the South Africans. Having probed without success for much of the opening stages, the nimble, pacy and tricky Percy Tau served up a moment of sublime skill to haul the South Africans level. Receiving the ball infield, he drove to the edge of the box, shaped to shoot and sold Ekong and Omeruo a dummy sending them one way and cutting inside the box in a flash, before showing supreme vision to pick out Lebo Mothiba for a simple tap in. A crystal beauty of a goal. It was the fifth goal the Eagles had conceded in qualifying, and three of those had come against the Bafana Bafana. Starved of possession albeit in areas where they wanted the hosts to have it, the Eagles played long balls over the top in a bid to bypass the South African press , but without Ighalo up top it proved futile. Iheanacho his replacement still divides opinion; just what is his best position? A careless and loose touch with just Khune to beat, when picked out by Ahmed Musa after Kalu stole possession, wouldn't have helped his cause in staking a claim to the center forward spot. The Eagles game management was impressive however. They seemed to transition from defence to attack as they pleased. The hosts backline certainly looked shaky when confronted by the pace and skill of the Nigerian forwards.
Yellow delight: Percy Tau (second left) celebrates with goalscorer Lebo Mothiba (exterme left) after the South Africans pegged the game at 1-1
Ingenious: Percy Tau (centre) slalomed through the visitor's defence before setting up Mothiba for a tap in.
Stat : Nigeria's opener was the first goal South Africa have conceded in five qualifying games so far. Breached.
The South Africans to their credit recovered from the setback and began to assert themselves on proceedings, their movement and precision in passing causing issues in the Nigerian ranks --who missed the defensive shield of Wilfred Ndidi. Loading the space in between wing back and centre backs for the lively Percy Tau --voted man of the match -- to attack. The threat of the Super Eagles though was prominent especially through Ahmed Musa whose corner on the 24th minute found Kalu but his shot failed to trouble Itumeleng Khune in goal for the South Africans. Having probed without success for much of the opening stages, the nimble, pacy and tricky Percy Tau served up a moment of sublime skill to haul the South Africans level. Receiving the ball infield, he drove to the edge of the box, shaped to shoot and sold Ekong and Omeruo a dummy sending them one way and cutting inside the box in a flash, before showing supreme vision to pick out Lebo Mothiba for a simple tap in. A crystal beauty of a goal. It was the fifth goal the Eagles had conceded in qualifying, and three of those had come against the Bafana Bafana. Starved of possession albeit in areas where they wanted the hosts to have it, the Eagles played long balls over the top in a bid to bypass the South African press , but without Ighalo up top it proved futile. Iheanacho his replacement still divides opinion; just what is his best position? A careless and loose touch with just Khune to beat, when picked out by Ahmed Musa after Kalu stole possession, wouldn't have helped his cause in staking a claim to the center forward spot. The Eagles game management was impressive however. They seemed to transition from defence to attack as they pleased. The hosts backline certainly looked shaky when confronted by the pace and skill of the Nigerian forwards.
The second half was not in line with the open nature of the first as the Nigerians stemmed the threat of Stuart Baxter's men, the coach soon making changes in search of a vital win. Rohr responded bringing on Isaac Success for the ineffective Iheanacho with 22 minutes left. With chances few and far between, Omeruo had a head-in-hands moment, spurning a glorious chance to clinch three points, heading wide from a Samuel Kalu free kick on the right, when it seemed easier to score. Then the second of those contentious calls. As the clock ticked towards the 83rd minute, Alex Iwobi played an eye of the needle pass, slicing the Bafana Bafana defence open like hot knife through butter, Ahmed Musa and Isaac Success well onside, the former finishing with calm only for celebrations to be cut short by a scarcely believable flag. Having been bailed out yet again, South Africa went for the winner, but there was to be no no late drama. The palpable feeling of qualification being minutes away giving the Super Eagles enough boost and energy even when the altitude and heat had drained much. In the end, the South Africans were bold but it is the Eagles who hold the AFCON 2019 ticket, as Libya and South Africa vie for second spot in the final round of games in March. For Nigeria, time to map out plans for a go at the tourney they won in 2013. The Super Eagles are flying to Cameroon, and it was mission well accomplished. Let the preparations begin.
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