Wednesday 19 November 2014

Super Eagles Fail to Qualify for 2015 AFCON

Nigeria's Super Eagles failed to qualify for 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to defend the title they won in 2013. The Eagles went into the game with their fate in their own hands. They only needed to beat South Africa's Bafana Bafana, to seal a qualification spot.



The game, which was played in the newly built Akwa Ibom International Stadium, saw the Super Eagles come back from two goals down to snatch a draw against the visiting South African national team. Nigeria had series of chances earlier in the game, which they failed to score. The deadlock was broken by the Bafana Bafana in the 41st minute when Tokelo Rantie stormed Nigeria's box to beat the keeper. Rantie added a second goal 3 minutes after the start of the second half. Super Eagles were able to pull a goal back through Sone Aluko in the 68th minute of play. Nigeria could not make the numerical advantage count when Reneilwe Letsholonyane was shown a red card in the 70th minute. Sone Aluko equalized for the Super Eagles in injury time to earn Nigeria a 2 - 2 draw, which saw them crash out.

In the other group game played, Congo secured the second qualification spot behind South Africa with a 1 - 0 win over Sudan. The 2015 AFCON tournament will be hosted by Equatorial Guinea between 17 January and 8 February 2015.

Sources: Goal; BBC Sports

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