Nigeria and South Africa continued their recent trend of being incredibly evenly-matched with a thoroughly entertaining 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. Themba Zwane scored a brilliant opener in the first half for Bafana Bafana, but the Super Eagles got themselves back on level terms thanks to a similarly clinical finish from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru right at the start of the second half.
The visitors had a bright start in the first half and threatened to catch Nigeria on the break early, clipping the crossbar with Tehobo Mokoena’s free-kick. Nothing could stop Themba Zwane just before the half-hour mark though, as he danced beyond three challenges before rifling the ball into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Khuliso Mudau and Elias Mokwana both missed chances to make it 2-0 before half-time, and Bafana Bafana were soon ruing those opportunities as Dele-Bashiru brilliantly turned on the edge of the box to slam in Nigeria’s equaliser just 37 seconds after the restart.
The second half became littered with chances at both ends; Nigeria having the better chances, but seeing South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and his woodwork deny a number of efforts from Bright Osayi-Samuel, Samu Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Terem Moffi late on.
Nigeria dominated large spells of the second period having been below-par in the first, but Chukwueze striking the crossbar from close range and Atalanta star Lookman being heavily marked whenever he got the ball were signs that it wasn’t going to be the Super Eagles’ day.
South Africa continued their counter-attacking style and had opportunities of their own through Mokwana’s scuffed shot and Percy Tau’s huge miss from right in front. Chances aplenty, but no goals, and the two sides have to settle for a point apiece – a point which doesn’t really help either in their mission to chase down surprise Group C leaders Lesotho.
| Nigeria | Stat | South Africa |
| 15 | Shots | 8 |
| 5 | Shots on target | 4 |
| 57% | Possession | 43% |
| 482 | Passes | 368 |
| 3 | Corners | 3 |
| 8 | Fouls | 16 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 3 |
| 0 | Offsides | 11 |
Nigeria vs. South Africa final score
| Full time | Goalscorers | |
| Nigeria | 1 | Fisayo Dele-Bashiru |
| South Africa | 1 | Themba Zwane |
Starting lineups:
Nigeria (4-4-2, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi (80′ Onyedika), Tanimu, Bassey — Dele-Bashiru (62′ Abdullahi), Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman — Iheanacho (67′ Chukwueze), Onuanchu (80′ Moffi).
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams (GK) — Rayners (71′ Foster), Mudau, Ngezana, Modiba — Mokoena, Sithole — Mokwana (71′ Appollis), Zwane (88′ Aubaas); Mvala — Tau (81′ Morena).
