Nigeria overpower Bafana in Abuja
Brad Morgan
3 June 2008
Of all the teams in Africa, Nigeria is the country that has given Bafana Bafana the greatest headaches on the football field. On Sunday, the nightmare continued in Abuja as South Africa fell to a 2-0 defeat in a 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier.
The Super Eagles were clearly the superior side and made it a miserable outing for coach Joel Santana in his first match in charge of Bafana Bafana.
The South African team adopted a defensive formation from the first whistle, but even focusing on blunting the Nigerians' attack failed to work as the home side took a 10th-minute lead through a powerful header from Ike Uche, which left goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez with no chance of stopping it.
Nigeria dominant
The Nigerians had control of possession and dominated play, forcing South Africa onto the back foot.
After 20 minutes, John Utaka, who had set Uche up for the first goal, found Yakubu Aiyegbeni with a free kick, but his header was off target.
With the Super Eagles controlling the aerial battle, another chance presented itself with half-an-hour played, but Kalu Uche headed wide. Shortly afterwards he created a nice opening for Taye Taiwo, but Fernandez saved well from his shot.
With the halftime whistle not far off, Kagisho Dikgacoi lashed a vicious shot at the Nigerian goal from 35 metres. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was rooted to the spot, but the midfielder's powerful drive passed just wide of the post.
Lead doubled
Moments later, Nigeria had increased their lead to two goals. Utaka missed out in a one-on-one with Fernandez, but South Africa's weakness in the air proved costly as Obinna Nwaneri headed strongly into the top corner from a corner to double the hosts' lead.
The second half started quietly and despite Bafana's deficit, it appeared they had no means of forcing pressure on the Super Eagles as they tried to claw back the two-goal deficit.
Eventually, after an hour, Macbeth Sibaya played Tsepo Masilela in for a one-on-one against Enyeama, but the goalie was up to the challenge.
Long range shots
For the most part, South Africa was reduced to take cracks at goal from long range.
Joseph Yobo was narrowly off target with a header and Fernandez was then called on to fist a cross from substitute Nwankwo Kanu away, ahead of Victor Anichebe, who taken over at striker from Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Nigeria continued to control the game and when the final whistle went it was a merciful 2-0 result for South Africa, who had never really been in the game.
Shaky defending
After the contest, Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena criticised his side's shaky defending and said the set piece defending was especially concerning. He said the team needs to, and will improve.
Mokoena pointed out that six regular players had been missing because of injury, so he expects that their return will result in a far more competent performance in South Africa's next outing against Equatorial Guinea at the Atteridgeville Super Stadium on Saturday.
Mokoena became South Africa's most capped player of all time when he took the field. It was his 75th cap, moving him out of a tie with striker Shaun Bartlett.
Equatorial Guinea opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone.
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