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Nigeria’s hopes of reaching a seventh FIFA World Cup tournament are in tatters, after they played out a 1-1 draw against group leaders, South Africa, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, The PUNCH reports.
The Super Eagles came into the fixture needing to claim all three points, in a bid to resurrect their dwindling hopes of reaching next summer’s showpiece in North America, while the South Africans were hoping for a positive outcome in a bid to retain their healthy points advantage against the chasing pack in Group C.
Head coach Eric Chelle reinstated captain, Williams Troost-Ekong back into the heart of defence, after the former PAOK centre-back had sat out the slim 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo last weekend.
The Eagles suffered an early setback within the opening eight minutes, as full-back Ola Aina had to be subbed off after picking up an injury. The Nottingham Forest man was replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Fifteen minutes later, disaster struck as the Bafana Bafana opened the scoring through an unfortunate own goal by skipper Troost-Ekong in the 25th minute.
The West Africans began to keep possession and sought to find the leveller, which duly arrived in the 44th minute. A hopeful cross from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was headed home by Fulham defender, Calvin Bassey, to restore parity. It was a fortuitous effort, as the ball came off his arm and into the net.
Upon resumption of the second period, Chelle brought on Tolu Arokodare and Bruno Onyemaechi for Troost-Ekong and the ineffective Cyriel Dessers. The Eagles saw the ball a lot more than during the opening half, but could not create any clear goalscoring opportunities.
Even the introduction of Chrisantus Uche and Samuel Chukwueze could not galvanize the three-time African champions to find the winner. Instead, midfield veteran, Wilfred Ndidi, was taken off after sustaining a knock.
In the end, it finished with both sides sharing the spoils at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Both countries had drawn the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, during the earlier rounds of the qualification series.
As it stands, South Africa currently have 17 points from eight games, six points clear of Nigeria, who have 11 points from the same number of matches played.
To have any realistic chance of qualifying, Nigeria need to finish in the top two in Group C. Eric Chelle’s men must win their remaining matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic and also hope others in the group drop points, to have a shot at World Cup qualification.
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