BEVERLY HILLS, June 10, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday began their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a sour note by losing 0-2 to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.
The game started brightly for Nigeria who had their first shot on goal in the 11th minute. Highly-rated midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi showed great enthusiasm to latch onto a loose ball on the edge of the South African box, but his volley went wide of Itumeleng Khune’s post.
Oghenekaro Etebo made a late surge into the box, which went undetected by the South African defence, but he failed to test Khune with a shot from close range.
After a goalless first half, Rantie broke the deadlock at the 54th minute with a great header from inside the box when he connected with a decent cross by Ramahlwe Mphahlele on the right-hand side and squeezed his header past Akpeyi.
Bafana Bafana increased the tally in the 81st minute through Percy Tau, who beat the offside trap, rounded the Nigerian goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an open post.
Though being in control for a larger part of the game, the Eagles paid dearly for failing to convert the numerous chances they got while also making the absence of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses very obvious.
The flat-footedness of the team’s defence paved way for Rantie sneaking in to head in after Elderson Echiejile failed to deal with Mphahlele on the right hand side.
A bid to salvage the situation saw the team go all out for a corner kick which left the goalkeeper unprotected.
The South Africans took advantage of this situation as Percy Tau scored with his first touch of the game after beating the offside trap, went round Daniel Akpeyi and finished off brilliantly to make it 2-0.
Lebogang Manyama had a chance to further compound the misery of the home side, but the Cape Town City forward squandered his effort.
The Nigerian team would now seek redemption in their next qualifying game against Seychelles.
