On Friday night, Nigeria and South Africa settled for a 1-1 draw in their crucial World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored his second goal for Nigeria to cancel out a fine Themba Zwane opener as the Super Eagles failed to soar past the visitors.
Finidi handed Manchester City academy product Fisayo Dele-Bashiru a place in the starting lineup while Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made his home debut for the Super Eagles after earning eleven caps in away grounds.
With the team initially set up in an exciting-looking 4-3-3, the Super Eagles played on the front foot in the opening stages.
However, South Africa’s short passing move allowed the Bafana Bafana to quickly settle and it was the visitors who had the first chance of the game when a Teboho Mokoena free-kick grazed Nwabali’s crossbar.
It was not long before South Africa took the lead just before the half-hour mark after Themba Zwane danced past a sleepy Nigeria defence to fire beyond Nwabali.
Lessons from South Africa’s election
After riding their luck for the best part of the opening half, Nigeria came out smoking in the second half and swiftly saw their efforts rewarded.
Onuachu combined smartly with Iwobi after which the Fulham man fed Dele-Bashiru, who turned brilliantly to smash a low drive into the net.
Nigeria had a good shout for a penalty shortly after when Dele-Bashiru was hacked down in the box but the referee shockingly waved play on.
Goalscorer Dele-Bashiru did not recover from that knock and he was replaced on the hour mark by Alhassan Yusuf.
In the end, Finidi George’s Eagles settled for a draw with the Bafana to lose the chance to go top of Group C. The results mean that Nigeria will now be placed fifth in a table of six teams after three matches in the 10-match competition.
Nigeria, in three matches has drawn all three.
