Nigeria a superior class
DURBAN: Bafana Bafana’s reputation as gracious sporting hosts continued as Nigeria outmuscled South Africa 2-0 in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last night.
The home side’s failure to lift the trophy in honour of former president Nelson Mandela stretched to four matches. Durban hosted the fund-raising match for the first time in 19 editions, and hopes were high of a victory, following last year’s loss to Zambia, a draw against Ivory Coast in 2011, and defeat to United States the year before that.
However, the superior class of Nigeria told as they eased to a comfortable win with two second-half goals from substitute striker Uche Nwafor.
Nigeria shaded the possession in the first half, but chances on goal were fairly even. Whereas the Super Eagles clipped the bar through midfielder John Ogu in the 27th minute, and hadBafana captain Itumeleng Khune scurrying on a few occasions, they rarely got behind the home side’s defence.
Only once were the central defensive pairing of Thabo Nthethe and Eric Mathoho caught by surprise, when a floated ball from Nigeria’s half sneaked through and Khune came to the rescue when he scooped the ball ahead of midfielder Nnamdi Oduamadi.
But it was South Africa who got a better sight of goal in a fairly lively opening half. Just before Ogu’s drive against the woodwork, South Africa unlocked the Nigerian defence after midfield workhorse Dean Furman burst forward to join the attack for a change. He set Bernard Parker free and he squared the ball for Siphiwe Tshabalala, but the winger failed to connect with the ball.
Both coaches prowled their dugouts, eager to fine tune their charges for next month’s World Cup qualifying action – Nigeria tackle Malawi and Bafana Bafana host Botswana on September 7.
As Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi and home coach Gordon Igesund directed play from the touchline, there were a few more half chances on either side for the rather small crowd to enjoy.
It always appeared as though Nigeria were cruising. After the break they switched gears swiftly, cranked up the engine and sped to a two-goal lead by the 68th minute.
Nwafor bagged his first in the 49th minute with a smooth back heel after neat work from Nnamdi Oduamadi and Efe Ambrose in midfield.
Nwafor, who replaced Shola Ameobi at the start of the half, sealed the victory with an equally simple second strike, when he tapped in after fellow substitutes, midfielder Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa, stole the ball from Bafana near the edge of the box to create the opportunity.
Against the African champions, ranked fifth on the continent, this was always going to be a steep challenge for the 12th-ranked home outfit.
In terms of a learning experience striker Lebogang Manyama and defender Thulani Hlatshwayo would have benefited from the exercise. The latter started the game, while Manyama got a few minutes towards the end when South Africa ran their socks off in vain.
In seven outings South Africa and Nigeria have met, the hosts have won only once, drawn another and lost five times. Bafana Bafana’s only win came in the 10th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge back in 2004, winning 2-1 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
Bafana next meet Burkina Faso in another friendly game on Saturday at the FNB Stadium. The match against the Stallions is part of the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day and kicks off at 1.30pm. The foreign pair of Furman and Rantie will miss this game, as it does not feature on the Fifa calendar.
Igesund will therefore rely only on the home-based group for this final preparation match before the qualifier against Botswana in Durban.