Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2019 after 1-1 draw with South Africa
The Super Eagles have qualified for Cameroon 2019 after holding South Africa to a 1-1 draw at the FNB Stadium.
Nigeria went ahead in the tenth minute from an own goal through Buhle Mkhwanazi as the defender intercepted Samuel Kalu's cross into his own net to make it 1-0.
The three-time African champions should have made it 2-0 in the 18th minute but the referee wrongly flagged Kelechi Ihenacho who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper offside.
READ ALSO: Pogba and Messi discuss their World Cup experience in a Dubai restaurant
Bafana Bafana responded through their scoring sensation Lebo Mothiba in the 26th minute after danger man Percy Tau dribbled past two Nigerian defenders and provided an easy tap-in for the young striker.
The first half ended in a 1-1 draw as the half time score put the Nigerian side in contention for qualification.
The talking points of the second period came when Ahmed Musa's goal was denied after the linesman made another wrong decision flagging the Super Eagles captain in an offside position.
READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda
Both sides shared the spoils as the green and white made it through to the tournament next June - their first since they won the tournament in 2013.
In the other group match, Libya white-washed Seychelles by 8-1 to hand them a glimmer of hope qualification in the last match against South Africa.
PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone'
Nigeria will play Seychelles in their last group match in Uyo while South Africa and Libya will battle for the last slot.
Checkout how Iwobi and Ogu led Super Eagles celebration after AFCON 2019 qualification.
Read the live update of the match below reported by Legit.ng
FT
90+3 SUBSTITUTION! Ajayi Adesewo comes on for Alex Iwobi.
90+1' Omeruo is fouled by Tau as Nigeria takes the free kick.
89' CHANCE! Nkizie had a free header to win it but wastes the opportunity.
88' South Africa given a free kick but the resulting kick evades everyone in the box and a throw in for Nigeria.
86' SUBSTITUTION! Onyekuru comes in for Musa.
82' Musa scores as the assistant referee flags for an offside. The replay clearly shows again Musa was not offside.
80' The match still at 1-1 with ten minutes left to play.
77' South Africa takes the corner as Balogun applies the headed clearance but another cross into the Nigerian area as it went for a goal kick.
74' Kalu takes it but Omeruo loses his marker but could not direct the ball goal-wards, he should have done better.
73' Kalu wins another free kick on the flank as Nigeria have an opportunity on goal.
72' Success does well to hold off the defender as he wins a free kick for Nigeria.
70' South Africa bursts into life as Tau tries to make his way through the Nigerian defence but closed down by Emeruo as Ezenwa comes out for the catch.
69' SUBSTITUTION! Isaac Success comes in for Kelechi Iheanacho
68' Nigeria are giving up possession with a couple of faulty passes from Etebo, Ogu and Ekong.
65' South Africa 1-1 Nigeria.
63' Balogun is warned by the referee for having an exchange with South African coach Baxter.
62' Lorch immediately wins a free kick as he wants hacked down by the Nigerian defender.
61 SUBSTITUTION! Lorch comes in for Soreror. Stuart Baxter wants more bite in the Bafana Bafana attack.
60' Nigeria in firm control of the second half as the scorline remain South Africa 1-1 Nigeria.
58' Corner taken and the ball is cleared off the line but Iwobi plays a one-two with Kalu and a timely interference from the South African defence.
57' Musa calling for a free kick just outside the box but a corner was given instead.
54' Musa takes takes a short one as cross swung in into the box but headed away as Etebo shoots into the sky.
54' First corner for Nigeria as Cloins and Nkinzie are really having the most of each other.
52' Iheanacho wins a free kick in a promising position as Samuel Kalu completely wastes the opportunity.
49' Chance for South Africa but Tau is caught offside from at the end of the pass.
47' The game is closely knitted in the midfield as both sides are cautiously taking their time to build up play.
45' The second half is underway as Nigerian begin the mach from right to left.
45' Referee blows the half time whistle. It's 1-1 at the FNB Stadium.
44' Nigeria are playing better in the closing stages of the first half as Etebo slides in from a Kalu's cross but did not threaten the goalkeeper.
42' Super Eagles wins a corner from Colins. Musa takes it and swung in by Kalu from the other side as Nkhune comes and collect.
40' Nigeria are struggling to connect passes on the final third as South Africa are trying to catch them on the counter attack.
38' South Africa 1-1 Nigeria.
36' Iheanacho gifted a golden opportunity as Musa finds him one-on-one in the box but a poor first touch lets him down as he gives away possession.
34' Jamiu Colins concedes a free kick on Tau. Free kick taken by Tau and Bafana Bafana wins their second corner.
32' South Africa on the attack again and all balls are directed towards Tau who is having a filled day with the Nigerian defence.
30' The South African side have made most of their attacking threat through Percy Tau on the right while Nigeria have played more from the middle with Musa and Iwobi creating the spaces.
28' The game is now even, South Africa 1-1 Nigeria.
26' Tau slice open the Nigerian defence as he beats Omeruo and Troost-Ekong then creates a pass for Moutiba who taps into an empty met.
26' GOOOOOAAAAAAL!
25' Musa finds Kalu from the corner with a diagonal ball but the Bordeaux striker could not keep the ball down.
24' Nigeria win their fifth corner of the match after Colins was intercepted down the left.
22' Quite and entertaining match between the two sides but South Africa with more of the possession in search for an equalizer.
20' Nigeria wins a corner from Ahmed Musa, but a clearance wins another in quick succession but it is finally cleared by Moutiba.
18' CHANCE! Nigeria was lucky as the South Africans made their way into the defence but there was nobody to apply the finish.
16' Still South Africa 0-1 Nigeria courtesy of an own goal from a defender.
14' South Africa have been awarded with a free kick as Bafana Bafana pile the pressure on the Super Eagles.
12' Musa bursts through the middle of the South African defence from a clearance from Nigeria but Nkune comes way off his line with a decisive clearance.
10' CHANCE! Percy Tau almost equalized but for a defensive clearance from Kenneth Omeruo to give the home side a corner.
9' Lovely piece of skill from Samuel Kalu as he crosses the ball but a defender puts the ball in his own net.
9' GOOOOOAAAAAL!
8' CHANCE! A lovely through ball form Musa to Iheanacho who is one-on-one with with Nkhune but he is flagged off side. But the replay shows he was clearly on side.
6' CHANCE! Lovely interchange play from Musa and Iwobi and a shot was fired straight into the hands of Nkhune. South Africa responds with an immediate attack but a cross is well held by Enzenwa.
5' Captain Ahmed Musa wins a free kick but well defended by Bafana Bafana.
4' The Super Eagles are in control of possession as Jamiu Colins attempts a dribble from the left flank but knocked out for a throw in.
2' Bafana Bafana launch the first attack in the match with a cross from Nkizie from the right but the ball was too strong for Percy Tau to reach.
1' The match is underway as the Super Eagles are playing from right to left as South Africa begin with kick-of.f
Below is how both teams line up
Read our match preview below:
- South Africa will be hosting Nigeria in a tough AFCON qualifier in Jo'burg
- The Super Eagles need three points to ensure qualification to Cameroon 2019 with a game to spare
- The match will be played in front of the 94,000 capacity FNB Stadium
South Africa and Nigeria will lock horns in a crucial Group E AFCON qualifier at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, November 17.
The Super Eagles lost the first leg by 2-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in October 2016 as the three-time African champions will be seeking a revenge in the reverse fixture.
Gernot Rohr's side top the log with 9 points from four matches while the rainbow nation are closely behind with eight points.
READ ALSO: Chelsea handed massive boost for signing Icardi following UEFA's intended sanction
Nigeria will be facing their counterparts without their highest goalscorer Odion Ighalo owing to injury problems and captain Mikel Obi who is still not available.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has also been ruled out with injury while Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi is suspended for the crucial encounter.
New scoring sensation Samuel Chukwueze is expected to make his debut for the green and white following his impressive showing in La Liga with Villarreal.
READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda
In the other group match, Libya still stand a chance of qualification when they travel to Seychelles and a win will put them back in contention for Cameroon 2019 in their final game against South Africa.
Nigeria will play their final match against Seychelles and it would be a formality should the Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana in their penultimate game.
Match: South Africa vs Nigeria (AFCON qualifier)
Date: Saturday, November 17
Time: 2pm (Nigerian time)
Venue: FNB Stadium Johannesburg
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.
Who will win the champions league? - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
