Nigeria’s Super Eagles – again in Uyo – rallied to another draw of fading hopes as the World Cup qualifying series approach the half way mark.
They played a frustrating 1-1 draw with South Africa and remain hopelessly in the fifth position in a six-team group.
The South Africans, who have never lost a match to Nigeria at the Uyo stadium, were even more daring and purposeful in the attack. They were forced to a 2-2 draw in their first match with Nigeria in Uyo 10 years ago.
They followed up with a shock 2-0 win seven years ago before this Friday’s 1-1 draw.
With a home match against bottom-placed Zimbabwe next week, they look a more candidate to emerge from the group.although they are currently fourth on the log.
Like the preceding matches, Nigeria had to fight from behind South Africa after sustained pressure found the net in the 29th minute through Themba Zwane.
Nigeria leveled up through Fisayo Dele-Basiru at the start of the second half.
With three consecutive draws from two home matches and an away duel, the Super Eagles appear unlikely to emerge leaders at the end of the 10-match series. They may not even emerge among those to go for play-off.
It had been envisaged that Nigeria will not drop any of the obtainable six points of the match days 3 and 4. But that has faded out like smoke. They face Benin Republic on Monday in Abidjan while South Africa will host Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
