Julius OkorieContrary to permutations that it will be another three points in the kitty for the Super Eagles in Uyo, visiting Warriors refused to allow that happen, as they held their grounds in the encounter that ended 1-1 apiece.
The three matches of the group viz Nigeria against Zimbabwe, Benin Republic against South Africa and Rwanda against Lesotho were going on pari-pasu in Uyo, Abidjan and Kigali respectively. Primebusiness.africa noted that all the matches ended goalless at the end of the first 45 minutes, however at the end of 90 minutes it was only Bafana Bafana of South Africa that earned a 2-0 victory over Benin Republic who have adopted Abidjan as their home ground.
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Cheetahs of Benin managed by former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, had no answer to South Africa’s fire power, which has now seen the former apartheid enclave consolidate their leadership of the group with 13 points.
Again contrary to predictions Rwanda were held to a 1-1 draw at the Amahoro Stadium by Lesotho.
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Brace scorer in the victory against Rwanda last Friday, Victor Osimhen, was also on target as predicted in Uyo after enjoying a timely assist from Ola Aina in the 74th minute of the match.
The jubilation did not however last for long before Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa whose other name is Blessing, lived up to his name by grabbing the equaliser on the dot of 90 minutes.
Although the Eagles maintained a 56% to 44% possession all through the encounter, it did not translate into the original dream of the team to earn back to back victories.
The standing on the table shows South Africa on 13 points, Rwanda on 8 points, Benin Republic on 8 points, and Nigeria fourth with seven points.
Lesotho and Zimbabwe occupy the fifth and sixth positions with six and four points respectively.
Nigeria will next host Rwanda on September 1, followed by away tie against South Africa on September 8.
In other matches played today, Cape Verde shocked Angola 2-1 at home. The highest goal feast so far has been Ethiopia’s 6-1 demolition of Djibouti on Sunday.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
