This Nigerian team should have been hammered for sure. That was the feeling of soccer fans here yesterday.
Bafana Bafana dominated their friendly international against the Super Eagles, yet again they were left to rue missed chances.
Winger Ahmed Musa thought he had sealed another win for Nigeria over Bafana when he scored five minutes from time, but his goal was cancelled out in stoppage time by Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu as the game finished 1-1.
The hosts had a penalty long before Musa's strike, one of many chances they had to take the lead, but Andile Jali's casually taken spot kick on the hour mark was saved.
Bafana came into this game on the back of a 3-1 victory over Swaziland last Wednesday, while the Nigerians had been stunned by Uganda at home, losing 1-0.
Determined to make up for that defeat, Nigeria made a bright start, camping in the Bafana half although they did not test goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
After spending the first 20 minutes on the ropes, Bafana's nerves disappeared and they started passing the ball around comfortably as midfielders Jali, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Zungu and Thulani Serero combined to create opportunities for SA.
Serero was enjoying himself on the right wing, using his skills and deft touches to beat defenders. The Ajax Amsterdam man played a key role in one of Bafana's glorious opportunities in the first half, combining with Zungu before the ball fell to striker Tokelo Rantie, whose shot in the box was blocked by Nigeria's Aderemi Balogun.
You never really know what to expect from Serero. Is his head in the game or is he worried about getting injured? But yesterday in the first half he was impressive.
Serero continued to make a nuisance of himself in the second half and on the hour mark he won a penalty for SA after he was brought down in the box. Jali stepped up to take the kick, but it was saved by Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, a late inclusion in the squad.
Bafana have no one but themselves to blame for not getting a win here. Nigeria were there for the taking and Shakes Mashaba's boys just did not take advantage of their chances.
Bafana just blow it
This Nigerian team should have been hammered for sure. That was the feeling of soccer fans here yesterday.
Bafana Bafana dominated their friendly international against the Super Eagles, yet again they were left to rue missed chances.
Winger Ahmed Musa thought he had sealed another win for Nigeria over Bafana when he scored five minutes from time, but his goal was cancelled out in stoppage time by Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu as the game finished 1-1.
The hosts had a penalty long before Musa's strike, one of many chances they had to take the lead, but Andile Jali's casually taken spot kick on the hour mark was saved.
Bafana came into this game on the back of a 3-1 victory over Swaziland last Wednesday, while the Nigerians had been stunned by Uganda at home, losing 1-0.
Determined to make up for that defeat, Nigeria made a bright start, camping in the Bafana half although they did not test goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
After spending the first 20 minutes on the ropes, Bafana's nerves disappeared and they started passing the ball around comfortably as midfielders Jali, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Zungu and Thulani Serero combined to create opportunities for SA.
Serero was enjoying himself on the right wing, using his skills and deft touches to beat defenders. The Ajax Amsterdam man played a key role in one of Bafana's glorious opportunities in the first half, combining with Zungu before the ball fell to striker Tokelo Rantie, whose shot in the box was blocked by Nigeria's Aderemi Balogun.
You never really know what to expect from Serero. Is his head in the game or is he worried about getting injured? But yesterday in the first half he was impressive.
Serero continued to make a nuisance of himself in the second half and on the hour mark he won a penalty for SA after he was brought down in the box. Jali stepped up to take the kick, but it was saved by Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, a late inclusion in the squad.
Bafana have no one but themselves to blame for not getting a win here. Nigeria were there for the taking and Shakes Mashaba's boys just did not take advantage of their chances.
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