Nigeria vs. South Africa: Score and Recap from 2015 AFCON Qualifier

Reigning champions Nigeria were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, despite a dramatic late comeback at home to South Africa, drawing 2-2.

The Super Eagles had been undefeated against South Africa for ten years, per Steve Blues of Goal.com, and only just maintained that record in the fourth minute of injury time. 

South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba made changes to his starting line-up from his side's last match, bringing in Tefu Mashamaite, Mandla Masango, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Kermit Erasmus .

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Hosts Nigeria made just two swaps from their tie with Congo, with Raheem Lawal and Kenneth Omeruo entering the fray.

Nigeria set up in a 4-3-3 to attack their opponents, with South Africa in a more traditional 4-4-2 in order to stay defensively resolute.

Despite some defensively loose play, it was Nigeria who went closest to scoring early on. Ahmed Musa smashed his effort against the woodwork in the eighth minute, comprehensively beating the goalkeeper.

Nigeria continued to come forward, with South Africa keeper Darren Keet in fine form—keeping the scoreline goalless.

And despite the home side's pressure, it was the Bafana Bafana who took a surprise lead. Tokelo Rantie netted just before half-time, in the 42nd minute, racing clear of the defence to shock the Uyo stadium crowd.

Journalist Joe Crann highlighted the milestone that South Africa's goal represented:

And South Africa took their lead into the break, with Nigeria shell-shocked after all of their positive possession and territory. 

But the Nigerians were to be surprised once more as Rantie grabbed his second of the game—on 48 minutes.

Rantie confidently rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball away to give South Africa a 2-0 lead.

Nigeria then started to pile forward in an attempt to rescue the game and success finally came in the 69th minute, as Sone Aluko grabbed a goal back. Aluko was first to react, as the ball once again hit the woodwork, and the player pounced to score a well deserved effort.

South Africa then made life very difficult for themselves with 19 minutes of the game remaining—as Reneilwe Letsholonyane was dismissed for a second yellow card after a poor tackle.

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The Nigerians desperately tried in the closing minutes to find an equaliser but it looked liked South Africa would hold on.

However, with 94 miuntes on the clock, Aluko inexplicably grabbed his and Nigeria's second of the match with a shot from distance. 

But it was not enough and was too little, too late for the Super Eagles in a match they should have won. 

South African journalist Robert Marawa took to social media to express his delight at the Bafana's strong effort in the game:

Considering their possession and effort, Nigeria will feel aggrieved not to have won the match and kept themselves in the African Cup of Nations. They pressurised the South Africans from the early minutes of the game and would have been looking to make it a comfortable victory for them. 

But the Bafana showed why they top their group and kept strong in the defensive and midfield positions. They took their chances when they got them and will also feel they should have won the game—before Nigeria's very late equaliser.