The Super Eagles managed a scrappy lone goal again the Amavibu of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Saturday.
The lone goal gives Nigeria 10 points in Group C FIFA World Cup qualifier but South Africa has increased its rally to 16 points after defeating Lesotho 3-0 in another Group C match played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.
Bafana Bafana now retains a comfortable lead at the top of the standings (Benin are now the nearest chasers, after they defeated Zimbabwe in a concurrent match) and are now heavy favourites to finish in pole position and secure direct qualification.
South Africa suffered an early injury blow, with Nyiko Mobbie picking up a knock to the head which saw him replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa in the sixth minute.
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Just past the quarter hour mark, Bafana Bafana surged into the lead, with Mohau Nkota providing a classy finish to Aubrey Modiba’s lofted cross for his first senior national team goal.
Nkota’s goal was a rare flash of composure in a first 45 minutes that was characterised more by broken passages of play, as both teams struggled to find fluency amid a series of niggling fouls.
Nonetheless, South Africa were worthy of taking a one-goal advantage into the half-time interval.
The ‘visitors’ had another injury-enforced change in defence early in the second stanza, with Thabo Moloisane also suffering a blow to the head. Khulumani Ndamane was introduced off the bench.
Bafana took a stranglehold on the game in the 63rd minute, as a sustained spell of pressure culminated in Aubrey Modiba’s shot being spilled by Moerane, and Lyle Foster was on hand to tuck home the loose ball at close range for 2-0.
Foster then went from scorer to provider, teeing up Oswin Appollis in the 67th minute, and the winger tucked home a low shot to make it 3-0 and effectively end the game as a contest.
South Africa were then able to go into game management mode and cruise through the remainder of the encounter.
The teams will return to Group C action next Tuesday, 9 September, with South Africa hosting Nigeria in Bloemfontein, while Lesotho will face Benin in Abidjan.
