International Friendly

Result: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria

Date: 29 March 2015

Venue: Mbombela Stadium

A late strike from Bongani Zungu helped Bafana Bafana claim a 1-1 draw with Nigeria at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday  afternoon.

It proved to be a lively affair in the opening exchanges but the home side had the first opening of the game, as Bongani Zungu forced Dan Akpeyi into a fine save from the edge of the area.

Shakes Mashaba's side had less of the possession but still created the better opportunities and they nearly broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Tokelo Rantie turned well, before seeing his effort brilliantly blocked by Leon Balogun.

The likes of Thulani Serero and Andile Jali proved to Bafana's liveliest players on the park, the pair linked up on numerous occasions to good effect, while Zungu kept things ticking in the middle of the park.

The Nigerians, meanwhile, had their first meaningful effort at goal just before the halftime break, as Aaron Samuel curled an effort inches wide of the upright.

That proved to be the final chance of the opening 45 minutes, as the two nations went into the break deadlocked.

Bafana were presented with a perfect opportunity after the hour mark after they awarded a penalty, after Serero was fouled in the area but Akpeyi guessed right and kept out Jali's spot kick.

The Nigerian shot-stopper was called into action a minute later, as Tokelo Rantie made his way into box before firing an effort towards goal, which Akpeyi kept out.

The hosts went close again in the 71st minute when Oupa Manyisa played a neat one-two with Serero before dragging an effort just wide of the upright.

However, the Super Eagles took the lead against the run of play in the 84th minute, as Ahmed Musa cut in from the left before unleashing a sublime strike into the top corner.

Although the hosts did manage to level matters with the final kick of the game, as Zungu poked home from close range, after Akpeyi had made a magnificent save.

Here's how they lined up:

Bafana Starting XI: Itumeleng Khune, Thulani Hlatshwayo (c), Eric Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Oupa Manyisa, Bongani Zungu, Andile Jali, Thulani Serero, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi

Nigeria Starting XI: Akpeyi, Balogun, Omeruo, Ogbonnaya, Akas, Akpan, Onazi, Sokari, Simon, Samuel, Musa