By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana frustrated Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday.
Themba Zwane showed his experience by putting South Africa ahead on 29 minutes, and the home side had Fisaro Dele-Bashiru hitting back a minute into the second half.
It was a result that saw Bafana drop a rung to third spot in Group C while Nigeria slid to fifth.
Uyo proved to be an encouraging hunting ground for Bafana who arrived there with memories of beating Nigeria 2-0 in June 2017 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
They almost recreated those memories when Zwane handed them the lead but the hosts avoided humiliation in their own backyard.
Nigeria coach Finidi George fielded a familiar team as Wilfred Ndidi returned to captain the Super Eagles, but AC Milan star Samuel Chukwueze started from the bench.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos surprisingly started centre-back Siyabonga Ngezana and forward Iqraam Rayners while benching Lyle Foster.
After nine minutes into the contest, Teboho Mokoena released his trademark stinger which was parried by Stanley Nwabali but Iqraam Rayners could not do justice to the spill.
Mokoena was back seven minutes later when his freekick grazed the crossbar as Nigeria survived a Bafana attack.
But the visitors went ahead when Zwane shot past Nwabali after being nicely set up by Sphephelo Sithole.
It was an evening South Africa soaked up the pressure and they gave Nigeria a lot of possession which they could not use to maximum points.
With four minutes to the halftime break, Paul Onuachu forced Ronwen Williams to make a brilliant save after his headed effort.
Soon after the restart, number Dele-Bashiru turned and shot past Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams while under the challenge of Mothobi Mvala.
Williams then denied Terem Moffi in a face-to-face situation as both teams settled for a point.
Meanwhile, Lesotho shot to the top of Group C after beating Zimbabwe 2-0 at Orlando Stadium.
The Crocodiles are a point clear at the top as Rwanda dropped to position two after losing 1-0 to Benin.
Pictured above: Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams makes a save to deny William Troost-Ekong and Victor Osimhen from heading in a cross.
Source: CAF
