Match Report: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0

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Nigeria and South Africa played out an intense and highly physical draw in Cape town , as they both seeked qualification for the African Nations Cup in Morocco.
Keshi had made changes to include  power, pace and hunger upfront in the trio of Salami, Emenike and Musa.

A source close to the team said that Keshi had given his wards the hair dryer treatment, yesterday.
The source said: Nobody was spared. Everybody got a tongue-lashing. This was not the Keshi that they used to know that would console them if they lost.


“He made them understand that their performance against Congo was not good enough. And he warned them all to change or others would take their place. It was hot.”
Keshi had released his 11 man squad
Cape town stadium 

The first half started out with much tackling by  but ended up in a dull rate as both keepers didn’t have to make a save .

Andile Jali of South Africa tackles Ogeny Onazi of Nigeria during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers between South Africa and Nigeria at Cape Town

South africa’s Sibusiso Vilakazi looked dangerous early on running at the eagles defense but the defense seemed to be up to the task.
South Africa had the best chance of the first half but their shot after Nigeria cleared was blocked.
Mikel had trouble controling the pace of the game as the South african duo of Andile Jali and Dean Furman kept on pursuing him and not giving him space on the ball.
Ahmed Musa had a chance on the 33rd minut but a great tackle by Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca denied him.
Mikel seemed to get frustrated at the South african pressure on him and took it out on Thabo Matlaba.
Onazi had a shot on target on the 68th minute but his shot off a Mikel layoff sailed wide of target.
Nigeria’s best chance came on the 80th minute but substitute Ighodaro Osaguona’s near-post header from Musa’s right-wing cross was knocked off the line by a Bafana defender.
This game now leaves Nigeria with 1 point in 2 games after losing 2-3 to Congo in calabar.

Half Time.
44 mins: Oboabona yellow carded despite replay showing he got the ball.
41 mins: Mikel gets over run by two Bafana players, the Chelsea midfielder gets really infuriated by SA’s physicality and decides to take matter unto his own hands.
39 mins: Eagles backline keeps up being disciplined, not gving SA’s attacking midfield any space.
38 mins: Emenike wins Nigeria a corner but Oboabona is judged to have hit the keeper, foul for SA.
37 mins: Nosa, Onazi and mikel work the ball beautifully with help from Ambrose, but Musa’s cross is way over.
35 mins: After Emenike chests the ball down for Nosa, Nosa shoots away Nigeria’s best chance over the bar, still 0-0.
32 mins: Echiejiele wins Nigeria a corner, Musa’s corner is almost in but has to be knocked out by the SA keeper. following Corner from the left hand side is wasted.
31 mins: Eagleswith some good moves but all comes to an end as Omeruo pass is way too far for Emenike.
29 mins: Emmanuel Emenike is jugded to have jumped on an SA a player, foul against the Eagles.
27 mins: Dangerous cross is plucked off the air by Ejide.
26 mins:Musa and Emenike conjoin to cause the SA defence some headache but still no breakthrough nor good chance to test Bafana keeper.
22 mins:Eagles number 8, Nosa Ighiebor goes down holding his calf after a tough challenge by another SA player.
20 Mins: SA pressure pays off, as they win the ball off Efe Ambrose, Onazi fouls to calm the on comming attack.
18 Mins: Sa continues with their half field pressure but with more physicality, latest to go down is Onazi.
14 mins:Eagles midfield attempting to find loopholes in SA defence but still proving hard, SA now looking for counter opportunities.
South africa now playing more Physical, Three Eagles players have hit the floor hard in the last three minutes. lately being Musa.
9 mins: Onazi gets into the SA box but his ball is blocked out and leads to an SA counter, Omeruo clears.
8 mins: Emenike picks up the ball from the wing and attempts to out run the SA full back, but he wins Nigeria the Corner.
5 Mins: Bafana Bafana showing nifty and fast footwork but the Nigerian boys are well positioned for the boys in yellow.
2 mins: Ahmed Musa with an outrageous attempt that sails far high from the post.
Kick Off: Eagles start off from left to right.
In the absence of Captain Enyeama, Austin Ejide leads the young Eagles out as the captain.
Now the players take turns to listen to their National Anthems. with Eagles first.