[image source](https://www.newswatch.ng/afcon-super-eagles-defeat-south-africa-to-reach-semi-finals/)
Yesterday was a very interesting matchday in the ongoing AFCON 2019 tournament as the Super Eagles of Nigeria took on the Bafana Bafana of Sout Africa. This for each country supporters was more than just a football match as the rivalry between these two countries is known to span over lots of things. So this is a match to show superiority and obviously have bragging rights and I am really glad it ended up in my country's favour which is Nigeria.
Going into the match, I was positive Nigeria was going to win but was still a little scared as the South African team always put too much effort whenever they are facing the Super Eagles and yesterday was not different. The reason for this is not far fetched though as looking into the history books, Nigeria is known to always deal with the South Africa team based on their head-to-head comparisons.
The match started with Nigeria dominating most of the play in the early minutes. With the threats from the likes of Tau, Lorch, and Mothiba kept at bay by the presence of the solid defence line of the Nigeria team. Nigeria finally reaped the benefit of their domination as the deadlock was broken by Chukwueze when Alex Iwobi made a delivery into the penalty box which Chukwueze latched on. Having scored the first goal in the first half, Nigeria continued dominating for most of the rest of the remainder of the 1st half period, but the goals were not forthcoming as the likes of Musa were scared to shoot on goal and wasted chances from Iwobi and Ighalo.
The midfield pairing of Ndidi and Etebo was so solid and effective as usual as they kept the South African team from having a good play flow with wonderful tackles and interceptions.
The Bafana Bafana finally scored an equalizing goal in the 71st minute with a header from a Tau free kick. There were some controversies about the goal as Zungu who was the goal scorer was in a clear offside position and the VAR (which was introduced at this stage of the competion) had to be consulted. It was later discovered that Odion Ighalo assisted the ball into the path of Zungu so the goal was eventually given.
This goal led to a resurgence for the South African team as they started attacking more hoping to get a goal. But this was not to be so as Ekong of the Nigerian team scored a goal in the 89th from a Simon Moses corner which saw Bafana Bafana team goalkeeper Williams came out to parry away the ball away only to miss. Luckily for the Super Eagles, Troost Ekong was there to tap in.
The match could have ended 3-1 in favour of Nigeria, but Ighalo couldn't convert the chance.
The tournament continues today with Algeria taking on Ivory Coast in which the winner of that particular match will take on the Super Eagles in the Semi Finals.
Soar Super Eagles, AFCON na our own!!!