Nations Cup: Eagles heighten fears

But 18 months after their triumph in South
Africa, the story is a different one as the
champions of Africa are steeped in a deep
struggle to qualify for the next tournament in
Morocco. They ended their match with South
Africa 0-0 yesterday.

Parading the likes of Austin Ejide,
Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo,
Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, John
Obi Mikel, Nosa
Igiebor, Ahmed Musa,
Gbolahan Salami and Emmanuel
Emenike, Coach Keshi
must have thought that his side were going to
continue his winning run against the Bafana Bafana.
With the likes of Senzo Meyiwa, Anele
Ngcongca, Erick Mathoho, Thulani
Hlatshwayo, Thabo Matlaba, Mandla Masango
and two-goal hero against Sudan, Sibusiso
Vilakazi in his squad, Coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’
Mashaba side, rattled the Eagles for most
period of the match but failed to score.
South Africa pegged the Eagles back in their
own yard for most of the first half. In the 16th
minute, South Africa almost made a
breakthrough as Oupa Manyisa caused all sorts
of problems but was crowded out by the
Nigerian defenders.
With the hosts having the upper-hand, Nigeria
attempted to claw their way back into the
game as goalkeeper Meyiwa was called into
action to deny a corner kick which looked to
be drifting in at the far post.
South Africa created their best attacking
chances down the left flank but they were
guilty of over-elaborating, allowing the
Nigerians to walk away with a point.
On 36 minutes, a good chance went begging
for Eagles as Nosa Igiebor latched onto a poor
headed clearance before setting himself to
shoot from the edge of the box. However, he
was unable to control his shot, smashing the
ball way over the bar.
Two minutes later, Nigeria threatened again
down the left flank, but Musa’s cross evaded
everyone in the box before flying out for a
goal-kick.
Tempers flared in the centre of the pitch as
John Obi Mikel and Thabo Matlaba squared up.
Both escaped a booking, though, as the referee
decided to turn a blind eye.
In the second half, both sides continued to
waste chances with the Eagles coming out
stronger in the dying minutes.
In the 54th minute, Vilakazi forced a corner
after playing the ball off the legs of a Nigerian
defender. The ball was cleared only so far as
Oupa Manyisa, who fired over from the edge
of the box.
Nine minutes from the end of the game, the
Eagles went agonisingly close to grabbing the
winner as Musa sent a cross into the box from
the right flank, but Osaguona’s goal-bound
header was cleared off line by Mathoho.