Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
Group A
Full Time: Nigeria 2-2 South Africa
Date: 19 November 2014
Venue: Akwa Ibom International Stadium
A 2-2 draw between Nigeria and South Africa in a Group A, African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium on Wednesday means the Super Eagles have not qualified for the tournament next year.
The result combined with Congo's 1-0 win over Sudan means South Africa finished top of Group A with 12 points, followed by Congo on 10 points and Nigeria, the 2013 Afcon champions, on eight points.
View The Current AFCON Group Standings
Bafana started strongly and had a chance to take the lead as early as the fourth minute when a mistake in the Nigerian defence allowed Tokelo Rantie through on goal, but he fired over from 12-yards out.
After that the Super Eagles really took control of the possession stakes and began pestering the South African goal, but continuously found goalkeeper Darren Keet in their way.
In the eighth minute, Ahmed Musa dribbled his way past one defender on his way into the box, but saw his 14-yard shot strike the crossbar.
Six minutes later Musa broke through on goal and was left with just the keeper to beat, but Keet produced a good one-on-one stop.
A minute later Musa was again afforded a goal scoring chance when he burst behind the Bafana defence, but again he was denied by Keet in a one-on-one situation.
In the 24th minute Keet was called into action again, this time making a good save to deny Ikechukwu Uche from long range.
Nigeria, despite their dominance could not open the scoring and South Africa made the best of their one decent chance in the 41st minute.
Rantie showed great strength and determination to drive into the box, beating one defender before firing the ball past Vincent Enyeama from eight-yards out to give Bafana the lead at the break, 1-0.
It was a perfect start to the second half for South Africa after Rantie doubled his side's lead four minutes after the restart when he broke into the box again, rounded the keeper and scored, 2-0.
Nigeria began to mount their comeback and pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Sone Aluko tucked home an Uche shot that rebounded off the post, 2-1.
South Africa were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute when Reneilwe Letsholonyane was sent for an early shower after receiving his second yellow card.
Bafana had the chance to record a first-ever competitive victory over the Super Eagles but Rantie saw his last minute effort easily saved by Enyeama.
Nigeria piled on the pressure in the dying minutes of the game and did manage to find an equaliser through Aluko's second goal in the 94th minute, 2-2, but it was not enough to save the Super Eagles.
South Africa: Darren Keet, Sibusiso Khumalo, Anele Ngcongca, Erick Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Dean Furman, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Oupa Manyisa, Mandla Masango (Andile Jali 71'), Kermit Erasmus (Moeketsi Sekola 39'), Tokelo Rantie.
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo (Aaron Samuel 75'), Azubuike Egwuekwe, Efe Ambrose, John Obi Mikel, Raheem Lawal (Sone Aluko 54'), Ogenyi Onazi, Ikechukwu Uche, Emmanuel Emmenike, Ahmed Musa
View The Final Round of AFCON Qualifying Fixtures
