Eagles, Bafana settle for draw

Super Eagles of Nigeria played a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their international friendly match at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.  

An 85th minute goal for stand-in captain Ahmed Musa wasn’t  enough to give Nigeria a morale-boosting win after a disappointing defeat in midweek to Uganda as Bongani Zungu’s goal in added time earned a share of the spoils for the host.

CSKA Moscow forward Musa was handed the captain’s arm band for the Nigerian side in the absence of Vincent Enyeama, who was ruled out of the match due to injury.

And the speedy winger was on hand to score his 10th international goal for Nigeria before Bongani Zungu salvaged a draw for Bafana Bafana.

Aaron Samuel’s free kick forced the first save of the match from Itumeleng Khune in goal for Bafana Bafana.

A build up from South Africa found Zungu whose effort was tipped over by Daniel Akpeyi. From the corner kick, Akpeyi pushed a goal bound header to safety.

In the 13th minute, Kenneth Omeruo pulled a knock and was replaced by Godfrey Oboabona.

The host combined nicely close to Nigeria goal with Tokelo Rantie finding Sbusiso Vilakazi with a good cross inside the box, but he could only head over the goal-posts.

In the 26th minute, Rantie broke loose but his effort was blocked by Leon Balogun.

It was still 0-0 at hour-mark, but the host almost broke the deadlock as Thulani Serero found Andile Jali on the edge of the box but his shot was way off the mark.

The host piled more pressure on the Super Eagles defence at the restart of the game which earned John Ogu a yellow card.

In the 61st minute, the host are awarded a penalty after Serero was brought down in the box by Oboabona.

Akpeyi one-handed save denied Jali from the spot-kick and the rebound hit the upright and Nigeria cleared the ball away from their box.

With five minutes left in the game, Musa silenced the host with a wonderful strike.

The winger cut in from the left flank and curled the ball into the far corner. Khune managed to get his fingertips to it, but he couldn’t stop the ball from hitting the top corner of the net.

With defeat staring them in the face, South Africa pressed forward for an equaliser and they were rewarded in time added on.

Akpeyi was only able to parry Thusa Phala’s effort into the path Zungu who pounced from close range to equalise.