AFCON Qualifiers: Nigeria, South Africa draw

Defending champions Nigeria only managed a barren draw against South Africa in its second game of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

The Eagles who were shocked 2-3 in Calabar in their first game against the Red Devils of Congo Brazzavile, were hoping they could bounce back against the South Africans in Cape Town on Wednesday night.

But that was not to be as both teams failed to find the back of the net.

To demonstrate an intent for an outright win, Coach Stephen Keshi had made some changes in the team that lost at home to Congo.

Still, the Eagles were clipped by the South Africans who had clearly stated they will not lie low to be rolled over by Nigeria.

With just one point from two games, Nigeria is third in the standings in Group A with its chances of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco becoming increasingly slimmer.

As the coach of South Africa, Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba, has never lost against a West African opposition, and he was able to repeat that feat against Nigeria Wednesday.

Nigeria will be playing against Sudan home and away in the next set of matches in the AFCON qualification series.