In a World Cup qualifier that highlighted the contrasting forms of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, head coach Finidi George offered a candid evaluation of their 1-1 draw with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, MySportDab Reports.
Nigeria entered the match desperate for their first win of the campaign. However, their efforts fell short as they settled for a point against a spirited Bafana Bafana side.
The visitors dominated the first half, with South Africa’s Themba Zwane opening the scoring in the 29th minute. Despite creating several opportunities, Bafana Bafana only managed a single goal before halftime, leaving the Super Eagles with a lifeline.
The Nigerian side, visibly rejuvenated after the break, quickly leveled the score in the 46th minute thanks to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who marked his competitive debut with a crucial goal.
Despite this early second-half surge, Nigeria’s frontline, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Paul Onuachu, and Samuel Chukwueze, struggled to convert their chances into a winning goal.
Post-match, Finidi George acknowledged the team’s lackluster start but praised their resilience and improved performance in the second half. “We started sloppy in the first half,” said the former Enyimba coach. “We took over the game immediately we scored in the second half. We missed chances, and overall, it was not a bad second half for us. The players reacted well, but it was not the best result we wanted.”
Reflecting on the game, Finidi admitted his disappointment at not securing the full three points but encouraged his team to keep their spirits high as they prepare for their next encounter against the Benin Republic on June 10.
Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C with three points from three games, trailing Benin, who have accumulated four points.
As the Super Eagles gear up to face Benin, a team now coached by their former mentor Gernot Rohr, they will be eager to claim a much-needed victory and revitalize their World Cup qualifying campaign.
