2019 AFCON Qualifier: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria - AS IT HAPPENED

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Nov 17, 2018. 16:44

Good afternoon and welcome to what was AfricanFootball.com's LIVE PBP coverage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria, from the FNB Stadium in Soweto, on Saturday 17 November 2018.

The Super Eagles have booked their place at next year's showpiece in Cameroon. South Africa will have to get a result away to Libya if they are to join Nigeria in qualifying for the upcoming Afcon tournament.

AS IT HAPPENED PBP COMMENTS: 

Full-Time: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria 

90' - Three minutes added.

84' - Goal..No! Ahmed Musa finds the back of the net following a defence splitting pass from Alex Iwobi, but the assistant's flag is raised for offside.

74' - Chance! Kenneth Omeruo squanders a glorious chance for Nigeria from a free-kick. The centre-back heads wide with the goal at his mercy.

69' - Both sides tentative in attack as we close in on the final exchanges in Soweto. Elsewhere, Libya have thumped Seychelles 8-1 in Victoria!

58' - Chance! John Ogu's header from Ahmed Musa's corner-kick looks destined for the back of the net, but Themba Zwane is well positioned to clear from danger.

50' - As in the first half, the second stanza has gotten off to a rather slow start. No chances for either side as yet.

46' - The second-half is underway.

45' - Half-time in Soweto: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria

36' - Chance! Chance for Nigerians, but a poor first touch from Iheanacho lets South Africa off the hook! The forward got a bit too excited with the goal at his mercy.

30' - We've reached the half-hour mark in Soweto and it's been everything and more than we expected. Both teams really going for it.

26' - GOAL! What a goal. Percy Tau bamboozles the Nigerian defence before squaring the ball to Lebo Mothiba who has the easy task of passing the ball into an empty net.

25' - Nigerian corner-kick played deep to Samuel Kalu who's powerful shot flies over the crossbar!

20' - Chances at either end of the park as Tamsanqa Mkhize's cross is just behind the onrushing Lebo Mothiba. At the other end, good defending denies both Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa a chance at goal in quick succession.

12' - End-to-end stuff in Soweto. South Africa almost hit straight back, before Itumeleng Khune's quick reaction spares Thamsanqa Mkhize's blushes after the fullback mistimed his back pass, almost letting Musa through on goal.

9' - GOAL! Nigeria open the scoring through an own goal from Buhle Mkhwanazi. The defender deflects Samuel Kalu's cross past his own goalkeeper.

6' - Chance! Ahmed Musa fires a shot at goal, but it's straight at Itumleng Khune who makes an easy save.

4' - Pedestrian start to proceedings in Soweto. The Super Eagles eager to control the pace of the game at high altitude, something South Africa will be aiming to use to their advantage.

1' - Kick-off at FNB Stadium!

- A reminder that the winner of today's clash will automatically qualify for next year's showpiece in Cameroon. A draw will be enough for the Super Eagles.

Teams: 

South Africa: Khune; Mkhize, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Mabunda, Kekana, Serero (Lorch 61'), Zwane, Tau, Mothiba.

Nigeria: Ezenwa; Collins, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Balogun, Etebo, Ogu, Iwobi (Ajayi 90+3'), Musa (Onyekuru 87'), Kalu, Iheanacho (Success 69').