Eagles face losing out on third successive Nations Cup after 0-2 loss to South Africa in Uyo

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles face the prospect of missing out on a third successive African Cup of Nations after they lost a qualifier by two goals to nil for the 2019 tournament to South Africa's Bafana Bafana in Uyo.

In what became South Africa's first competitive win over Nigeria, Bafana Bafana secured their win thanks to second half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau. With the victory, Bafana Bafana, playing in their first match under new coach Stuart Baxter, put an end to Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr’s unbeaten streak since taking charge of the team in 2016.

Prior to yesterday's loss, the Eagles coach has recorded three wins and two draws in his previous five games in charge of the team. South Africa are now second in the qualification group with three points, while Nigeria are third with no points yet.

Nigeria's next match in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers will take place on March 23, 2018 against Seychelles. Only the winners of each group will qualify for the tournament and the Eagles face a real threat of missing out on Cameroon 2019.

Yesterday, Mr Rohr started with Daniel Akpeyi in goal with Elderson Echiejile, Shehu Abdullahi, Chidozie Awaziem and William Troost-Ekong in the defence. Wilfred Ndidi, stand-in captain Ogenyi Onazi and Oghenekaro Etebo were in the midfield while Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho were in attack.

Nigeria created the first clear chance in the 11th minute when Ndidi picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and sent a left-footed volley off target. After that, the Eagles further attacked and should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute with Iheanacho providing a low pass across the face of goal to find Etebo whose effort flashed wide.

South Africa settled into the match and almost broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Nigeria goalkeeper Akpeyi dropped Tebogo Langerman’s cross and Themba Zwane struck the loose ball against the upright. Upon the restart, the Eagles, cheered on by their supporters, attacked straight from the blocks but could not create any good scoring chances.

After 54 minutes, Bafana Bafana claimed the lead through Rantie, who met Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s cross and beat Akpeyi at his near post with a downward header and with 20 minutes of regulation time remaining, Zwane once again struck an effort at the upright with only Akpeyi to beat. In the 78th minute, Ahmed Musa, who replaced Iwobi and Etebo threatened in the penalty area but their effort was cleared off the line by Dean Furman.

South Africa ensured they got the points in the 81st minute when Pau finished a good counter attacking move. With the Eagles attacking and searching for an equaliser, gaps opened up at the back, which made conceding a second goal always likely.