On Saturday, November 17, 2018, the Super Eagles of Nigeria seized their qualification ticket into the final round of the ongoing
2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
One goal made all the difference for the Eagles, who booked their spot in the AFCON final showdown in Cameroon for the first time in three years — having missed out on the 2015 and 2017 editions of the tournament.
In the match against
South Africa, the Super Eagles took the lead nine minutes into the games, following an own goal by Buhle Mkhwanazi, off Samuel Kalu’s cross.
Tiyani Mabunda of South Africa challenged by Ogu Ugochukwu John of Nigeria during the 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 17 November 2018. ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
With quite the good start, Nigeria already had the upper hand and would go on to quietly dictate the pace of the game. However, the South Africans were not docile for long. In the 26th minute, they leveled the scores via a brisk display of sleight by Lebo Mothiba.
The Bafana Bafana were quite lucky to have ended the game in a draw, seeing as two contentious off-sides were ruled in their favor.
Nigeria will now play Seychelles on March 23, 2019, in an inconsequential final group game, while South Africa will take on Libya, the day before, and hope for a draw or a win to secure their place in the 2019 AFCON final.
