Joy in Nigeria as Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana.

The game commenced in a slow pace with each team being cautious. Rohr started a full fire attack line of Ighalo, Musa and Chukwueze. While Ighalo wasn't afforded space by the South African central defence, Musa and Chukwueze ran the flanks like their homes tormenting the South African defence.
It paid off in the 27th minute when a square pass from Iwobi after an exchange with Musa was met by Chukwueze who needed a second tap to take it past Williams for Nigeria's first.

South Africa had more of the ball but no penetration. Ndidi and Etebo dominated the space in central midfield and forced Mokotjo and Zungu into just passing the ball around. Ndidi and Etebo were excellent in closing down men and space. Their ability to spread play was also top notch. They corrected the error from other games where they were drawn away from the space in front of the defence further up field.
A set piece floated in by Percy Tau was flicked on by a Super Eagle and Zungu headed beyond Akpeyi for South Africa's leveler in the 74th minute. The goal celebration was wrongly put on hold as Zungu was initially judged to be offside. He was not, as Tau's float was flicked on by Ighalo. VAR confirmed the goal and play continued.

Musa was sacrificed for Moses Simon on the left flank. His initial attempts at taking on Mkhize were futile as they resulted in goal kicks. On the other flank, the lively Samuel Chuwkueze taught Hlanti football lessons as he constantly tore down his flank. His square pass for Ighalo, whose efficacy was reduced by Hlatshwayo was not met as the ball rolled across the goal mouth begging for a tap-in. In the South African attack, Mothiba was largely inefficient as Omeruo and Ekong kept him quiet.

Jamiu Collins who started the game after a bout of illness in place of Ola Aina helped run the flank as did Chigozie Awaziem on the other wing back position. The full backs joined the attack. That way, Eagles attack was more potent from the wings than through the middle.
The winner came in the 89th minute from a corner kick after Williams, in goal for South Africa flapped his lines missing the ball completely and Ekong shinned in the ball. He was in the right place at the right time, which in itself is a skill. Eagles were not glittering but were effective, as Bafana Bafana had most of the ball through out the game.
South Africa failed to take full advantage of  Eagles weak points; Akpeyi's difficulty with aerial balls and the team's vulnerability in handling delivery from wide areas.

In my opinion, Chukwueze, Etebo, Musa and Ndidi were the brightest sparks and in the end, the men that rallied the team to victory. It must be said that Rohr got his tactics spot on.

Photo Credit: goal.com
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