The Super Eagles of Nigeria are back to the African Cup of Nations after a long stretch of absence from the competition.
SUPER SUPER EAGLES DRAWS BAFANA BAFANA TO QUALIFY FOR AFCON
On Saturday, the 17th day of November 2018, the Super Eagles of Nigeria gave the African continent a talk of shake that will keep the Cameroon 2019 African Cup of Nations at a hit-up.
Before now, the Super Eagles have been absent from the tournament since 2013 failing to qualify through the rigorous group stage.
The game was played on the wings of wind as both sides hoped to qualify through the outcome of the match as a win for the Bafana Bafana would have guaranteed their qualification.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles only needed a draw to see their name stamped as sure contenders for the title the had won three times as a new edition will be hosted by Cameroon in 2019.
Though the Eagles missed striker, Ighalo due to injury,Alex Iwobi was not relenting as he showed good skill and composure to unleash an effort at Itumeleng Khune’s goal. But the South Africa No.1 was up and doing when he made a good save to keep the scores level.
Nigeria mounted great pressure on the Bafana Bafana team and looked certainly hopeful and brighter until the reward of their pressure came as defender Mkhwanazi headed the ball past his own goalkeeper, putting the pressure firmly on the home side to record their first conceded goal in the qualifying series.
The own goal was an eye opener for the Bafana as they came out in full force, firing and almost had an immediate response, if not for the Nigeria defender who made a fantastic last-ditch tackle that prevented Tau from shooting straight to test the efficacy of the Nigerian goalkeeper.
Bafana Bafana were not relenting in returning the pressure they earlier received from the Super Eagles until a brilliant result came out of it on the 26th minute.
It was Tau who set up Mothiba for his second goal of the campaign. The Belgium-based star, sliced past the Nigerian defense before unselfishly putting the ball on a plate for the 22-year-old to jab home an equalizer for the home side.
Though the two sides gave their best to grab a win, the match ended a goal a piece placing Nigeria on top of group E with 10 points after winning three, drawing one and losing one.
Earlier on, Seychelles had been trashed by Libya 1 – 8 on their home soil to see them eliminated. This has placed the hope of Libya and South Africa on the wind until they meet on 22nd March, 2019 at the Tripoli Stadium, Libya.
Also READ: MESSI SNUBBED FOR MEN’S AWARD
