Nigeria’s Super Eagles crashed out of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers after failing to beat South Africa in Uyo despite playing a lacklustre 2-2 draw with Bafana Bafana.
The Eagles went behind to two goals from South Africa’s Tokelo Rantie who scored in the 42nd and 48th minutes. Two goals from Sone Aluko in the 67th minute and injury time, was not enough to book a passage to Equatorial Guinea 2015 as Congo beat Sudan 2-0 in Khartoum.
Before the last matches started, both Congo and Nigeria were level on seven point each and with the victory, the Red Devils now have 10 points compared with Nigeria’s eight. Congo will now join South Africa as the two qualifiers from the group, with Bafana Bafana emerging as the top team with 12 points.
Ironically, as defending champions, Nigeria will not be able to defend the trophy they won 2 years ago come January when the tournament starts. Due to internal wrangling between the coach Stephen keshi and the football association, and a poor campaign in the qualification rounds, Nigeria lost two games and drew two, only managing two wins in what was a weak group made up of South Africa, Congo and Sudan.
