Players of South Africa celebrate thinking they had qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, they were pipped by Niger ©Chris Ricco/Backpagepix
Nigeria’s quest to be at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a major blow with a 2-0 defeat to South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. It was obviously the eagles worst performance in recent time as the South Africans showed better match plan, fitness and superior on-field dexterity. The eagles were simply outclassed by the visitors to the dismay of Akwa Ibom state governor Udom Emmanuel, former governor Godswill Akpabio and other dignitaries at the stadium.
The Super Eagles have missed the last two editions of the tournament . This was supposed to galvanise them into full throttle action but Gernot Rohr’s men failed to capitalize on their first-half domination of the game. They were frivolous in their shootings and it was looking obvious that South Africans would spin a surprise. That surprise came in the second half when the South Africans slotted in two goals past Eagles goal-tender courtesy of Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau.
Libya now tops Group E with three points following their 5-1 rout of Seychelles. South Africa are in second place on goals difference, while Nigeria is third with no points.
The Eagles were very ordinary and played without passion in a match they ought to have won conveniently.
