Super Eagles’ Vice-Captain Ahmed Muse says patience was the key to the team’s victory against South Africa in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles on Wednesday defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals of AFCON 2019 in Egypt.
A goal each in each half from Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong saw Nigeria eliminate South Africa from the tournament and advance to the semi-finals.
Musa told reporters in a post-match interview that the Super Eagles’ plan going into the game was to stay focused and patient against a resolute South African side.
“We knew that the game against South Africa would be tough and not an easy ride.
“So, we spoke and reminded ourselves of the need to be patient as we worked towards achieving our goal.
“As you can see, we had to wait until the last minute to score the decisive goal and that is the most important thing,” he said.
Musa noted that both Nigeria and South Africa had similar styles of play as they possessed more attacking prowess on the flanks.
“I think the same thing they (South Africa) have is what we too have on the wings. Both teams played the same style of football.
“But the difference was that we were more patient and persistent in our approach than our opponents.
“Chukwueze is one of the young and talented players in our squad. He had a great game today and scored a fantastic goal.
“I think with time he is going to be one of the best players we have in the Super Eagles team.
“Chidozie Awaziem, Wilfred Ndidi and Jamilu Colliins are also other young talents in the squad and players for the future.
“As you know, we the old players in the squad are gradually winding down and will not be here in a couple of years from now.
“So, we definitely need players like them to step up and take over from us,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles now await the winners between Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria in one of Thursday’s quarter-final matches.
Tag: South Africa
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2019 AFCON: Patience was key to victory over South Africa – Musa
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Rohr says VAR delay unsettled Super Eagles
Nigeria’s coach Gernot Rohr could not resist a dig at the VAR system after his team’s win 2-1 over South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
He said the time taken to confirm his opponents’ goal had unsettled his team.
The VAR system was introduced at the quarter-final stage and is being used in the competition for the first time.
It made its first significant intervention when it overruled a linesman’s decision to disallow Bongani Zungu’s goal for offside.
“For five minutes we had to wait, goal or no goal, and that was hard for my team,” the German told reporters in Cairo.
“The second goal did not go in for us and then you have seen this free kick, and this VAR decision ——- you never know what can happen with VAR on a free kick.”
Rohr also praised the character of his side who came back from 2-1 down to beat Cameroon 3-2 in the previous round and grabbed a late winner in Wednesday’s match.
“Now we are mentally strong and we were able to come back,” he said. “The attitude of my players was wonderful. Such a good relationship with everyone.”
Rohr recalled when Nigeria were beaten 2-0 by South Africa at home in a qualifier for the tournament two years ago, one of his first games in charge.
“We had a young team but this team continued to work and this result perhaps helped us to beat in the next game Cameroon, who were African champions, 4-0 in the same stadium (in a World Cup qualifier).
“So, we will also learn from this match,” he added. -
Former South Africa World Cup winner Small dies aged 50
Former South Africa World Cup-winning winger James Small died on Wednesday at the age of 50 after suffering a heart attack.
Small, a key member of the Springboks side who lifted the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy, scored 20 tries in 47 tests between 1992 and 1997.
Small was praised for his performance in the World Cup final, where his brave tackles on giant New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu helped the Boks to a surprise victory at Ellis Park.
“He always played with the type of passion and courage that encapsulate what Springbok rugby stands for and he lived his life in the same way,” South Africa Rugby President Mark Alexander said in a statement.
“At 50 years old, James Small died too young. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this very sad time.”
Known for his aggressive style of play, Small was the first South African to be sent off in a test when it was rare in rugby, banished in a match against Australia in 1993.
He had numerous run-ins with opposition players and sometimes his own team mates, earning a reputation for his feisty personality that lived on after his career.
Small is the third member of the world champion team to pass away after loose-forward Ruben Kruger succumbed to brain cancer in 2010 and scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen died after a long battle with motor neurone disease two years ago. -
Mikel fit to face Bafana Bafana in AFCON quarter-finals tie
John Obi Mikel has returned to full training and is in line to make his Nigeria return in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash with South Africa at Cairo Stadium.
The 2013 Afcon winner is back in contention for Gernot Rohr’s side after recovering from a knee injury which has kept him out of the tournament.
He took part in light training during the team’s recovery session on Sunday morning, seven days after he limped out of Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat to Madagascar.
Mikel missed the Round of 16 tie against Cameroon – with Odion Ighalo sending Nigeria to the last eight his brace. -
AFCON: South Africa eliminate hosts Egypt to book date with Nigeria
Hosts Egypt crash out of 2019 AFCON after a late Thembinkosi Lorch goal gave South Africa a 1-0 win in Cairo in a Round of 16 clash.
The 1996 champions will now meet three-times champions Nigeria on Wednesday in the quarter-finals.
Details to follow….. -
Breaking: South Africa dump host Egypt out of AFCON
South Africa have qualified for the quarter-finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament after beating host Egypt 1-0 on Saturday.
Thembinkosi Lorch scored the only goal of the match after receiving a killer pass, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and drilled the ball into the bottom right corner.
The Pharaohs, after a goalless first half, fell 0-1 to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Cairo International Stadium, in a match watched by a full house.
With the result, the Bafana Bafana qualifies for the quarter-finals where they will meet the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
It was a fierce battle that saw both sides struggle to find the back of the net. -
2019 AFCON: Ivory Coast defeat South Africa 1-0
Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia scored the only goal of the game as Ivory Coast edged past South Africa in their opening Group D encounter.
Kodjia latched on to Max Gradel’s precise pass before sidefooting through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Nicolas Pepe struck the woodwork in the first half, while Thulani Hlatshwayo headed inches over the bar for South Africa with the score still goalless.
Morocco defeated Namibia 1-0 in Sunday’s Group D opener.
Ivory Coast – who left Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha on the bench in Cairo – enjoyed the better of the openings and would have been disappointed not to go into half-time with a narrow lead.
Forward Pepe, who scored 23 goals in 41 appearances for Ligue 1 runners-up Lille last season, rattled the crossbar with a curling free-kick after being tripped on the edge of the penalty area.
Kodjia should have put the Elephants ahead moments later after latching on to Hlatshwayo’s poor clearance, but the 29-year-old fired straight at Williams with the goal gaping.
Hlatshwayo missed Bafana Bafana’s best chance, heading Sifiso Hlanti’s cross wide of the mark with the score still goalless, while Williams tipped another goal-bound Pepe free-kick over the bar late on.
BBC
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Germany thrash South Africa 4-0 in Women’s World Cup
Germany beat South Africa 4-0 during the France 2019 Women’s World Cup Group B football match at the Mosson Stadium in Montpellier, southern France.
Details soon
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Consulate to protest continued killing of Nigerians in S/Africa, says envoy
The Consul-General of the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, says the mission is to protest killings and high-handedness of the South African police against Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the planned protest follows the recurring killing of Nigerians resident in the former apartheid enclave, where some 130 Nigerians were murdered in 30 months up to September 2018.
The figure has since jumped.
Adama made the announcement, while reacting to the latest killing of a Nigerian, Maxwell Okoye by the South African police.
He spoke in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
Adama said that Okoye was killed on June 14.
The envoy, who described the persistent killing of Nigerians as unacceptable, said the issue had become worrisome and deserved urgent intervention of the South African authorities.
”I have confirmed the death of Maxwell Ikechukwu Okoye in the hands of South African police officers at about 01.00 hours on Friday, June 14 when a group of policemen invaded his house in Ladysmith in Kwazulu Natal Province.
”He reportedly alerted a leader of the Nigerian community in the area of the presence of policemen in his house and called for their intervention.
”However, help was not immediately available, due probably to the time of the night and the fact that all attempts to get him on line was futile.
”He eventually was reported dead by the police who claimed they met him foaming when they broke into his house in that odd hour of the night, a claim that appeared suspicious and compromising.”
Adama said that by the time members of Nigerian community in the area got to Okoye’s home, his house was turned upside down and he was reported dead by the police, who took his body to the mortuary on their own.
The envoy said that the matter was reported by Nigerians to the South African police, who promised to commence investigation into the matter.
He said that the mission had also reported the matter to the national headquarters of the South African Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
”We intend to protest the matter officially through the usual diplomatic channels by the high commission in Pretoria once all details are collated.
”This is about the third case involving alleged torture and murder of Nigerians by the South African police within one month.
”It happened in Cape Town, Durban and now in Ladysmith. As the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, we will not fold our hands and allow these infractions to continue.
”We will not stand by and allow this development to continue. We shall be visiting the area to see things for ourselves while engaging relevant authorities on the matter. It is unacceptable.”
Adama recalled that in October, 2017, a similar murder of a Nigerian, Badmus Olalekan from Lagos State by men of the South African police led to the arrest and arraignment of eight policemen in Vanderbijpark Park, near Johannesburg.
This followed the intervention of the Nigerian Consulate, he stated.
According to him, the case is currently at the High Court in Johannesburg and will be concluded in October, 2019 going by the conclusions of the last court sitting.
”We are closely following up this along with the others to ensure that justice is served. We shall not leave any stone unturned concerning these matters.
”The high handedness of the South African police against Nigerians over flimsy excuses has become worrisome and deserves the intervention of the authorities.
”This is to protect the excellent relations that existing between the two countries as well as preserve coexistence of Nigerians and their South African hosts.”
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FIFA WWC: China beat South Africa to send Germany, France through
China striker Li Ying scored the only goal in a crucial 1-0 victory over South Africa in a women’s World Cup Group B clash at the Parc des Princes on Thursday.
This result ensures Germany and France progress to the second round.
Debutants South Africa are now likely out of contention after two defeats, but China face a do-or-die final pool match against Spain on Monday, when they will need victory to progress given their inferior goal difference.
They might have put themselves in the driving seat had they taken a host of late chances, but as with their opening defeat by Germany, their finishing let them down.
Germany cannot finish outside the top two in the group, and a point in their final match against South Africa will see them avoid a likely second round match against holders the United States.
The result also means Group A leaders France are assured of at least a place among the best third-placed teams and seals their passage into the next stage.
China had the majority of possession in the first half as the South Africans battled to keep hold of the ball, their wayward passing inviting pressure from the Asian side.
China had gone close before taking the lead as Wang Shuang shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box and the impressive Gu Yasha fired well wide in acres of space.
It seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough was made and it came in the 40th minute via Ying, who got a touch to Zhang Rui’s cross from deep to steer the ball past South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.
China were an inch away from a second goal before the break as Wang Shanshan rose unopposed at a corner, but her header struck the underside of the bar, with most, but not all, of the ball crossing the line.
South Africa improved after the break and finally managed a shot on target past the hour mark, but Kholosa Biyana’s long-range effort was easy for China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng to save.
China looked the fitter team in the closing stages and created a number of opportunities, but could not capitalise to improve their goal difference.