The result leaves Nigeria’s chances of securing an automatic ticket virtually impossible, with just two games left to play.


With Bafana Bafana leading Group C on 17 points and Nigeria stuck on 11 from eight matches, the Super Eagles now face an uphill battle to avoid missing a second successive World Cup, having also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Head coach Eric Chelle, refused to criticise his players, praising their effort in a difficult away tie.


“We tried, the players, gave everything to try to win and, like I said, it’s difficult to come here and hope for a win because this team is very good, their wingers are very fast, and the striker keeps the ball well,” Chelle stated.


“During this game, for just 10 seconds, we were not in a good position and they killed us, so after that we came back in the game because we were ready for that, and the state of mind of the players was to come back and try to score a goal, but South Africa is a good team,” he added.

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Chelle also admitted the draw leaves Nigeria’s qualification hopes in an unpredicted position, with Lesotho and Benin still to come and their fate dependent on Bafana slipping up against Zimbabwe or Rwanda.


For the Super Eagles, it was a night of frustration and regret, where commitment could not be converted into three points.

Source: Premium Times