Super Eagles Come Short In S’Africa

The Super Eagle of Nige
ria on Wednesday failed to fulfill their mission against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Cape Town. It was the second game in Group A of the 2015 African Cup of Nation qualifies a game that the Coach Stephen Keshi tutored side needed to win to put effectively put their campaign back on track after falling at home to Congo last weekend.
The team promised to goal the maximum points against the South Africans who are yet to beat them in a competitive game. But they came short, struggled to hold their hosts to a goalless draw, a result which sees them walking the tight rope after Congo romped to victory over Sudan to take commend of the group with six points, while Nigeria is on third position on a single point, three behind second placed South Africa.
In the match, which had attracted several comments before it commenced, the Bafana Bafana were up to it as they showed grit and robust play. In contrast to the Super Eagles measured pace and reliance on individual efforts, the South African were cohesive and fast. But their efforts were contained by the apparent more compact, cohesive and fast. But their efforts were contained by the apparent more experienced Nigerian side that struggled to cope with the enthusiasm of the hosts.
The Super Eagles performance, which witnessed a slight improvement from their show against Congo in Calabar once again threw up questions on the technical and tactical dept of the team.
The Eagles clearly lacked ideas on how to break an opponent’s defence down and had little or no imagination in the attacking third.
As usual, the lazy exchange of passes in the middle that led to nowhere and the individualists attempt to play through opponents to score were the teams hallmark.
At the end, only last0dtich defending saved the Eagles from capitulating in the dying moments of the game, when the South Africans piled on the pressure.
Now, Nigeria must try and win their remaining matches to be sure of making it to Morocco next year.

Enyimba players celebrating with the Federation Cup trophy last year. They will face Dolphins in the final match of the 2015 edition on September 28