President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has also hailed the Executive Governors of Lagos, Bayelsa and Ondo States who turned up physically at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday to support the Super Eagles, Nigeriasccernet.com reports.
“Our deep appreciation goes to Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State who were also physically present at the match venue".
“We remain grateful to them for creating time out of their very busy schedules to turn up at the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles. Their commitment shows how much good and great Nigerians love the game of football and particularly their National Teams, and we believe the Super Eagles will continue to make the nation proud on the playing turf”.
Gusau will, on Sunday, lead the Nigeria delegation to Abidjan for the Day 4 encounter of the FIFA World Cup qualifying series, pitching the Super Eagles against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. That match will take place at the familiar surroundings of the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny – where the Super Eagles won three matches at the AFCON earlier this year – on Monday evening.
On Friday, South Africa took the lead on the half-hour when Themba Zwane teased the Nigerian rearguard before slamming past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
It was indeed a game of two halves as Bafana Bafana dominated the first half, while the Super Eagles were very dominant in the second period, starting with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s memorable equalizer a minute after the restart, before a rash of opportunities that could easily have won them the three points.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola