South Africa had never beaten Nigeria in any of their past four

encounters where the Nigerians boasted three wins and a draw.

It was no surprise as the Super Eagles brought their third

string squad after the late withdrawal of nine of their first team

players.

The South Africans, who also missed some of their top name

players such as star midfielder Steven Pienaar, led 1-0 at half

time.

Striker Shaun Barlett nodded home past goalkeeper Greg Etafia in

the 22nd minute. He converted a corner kick which was taken by

Sibusiso Zuma.

It was the first corner kick for Bafana Bafana, who survived an

early scare in the first minute. But the threatening fire was

easily put out by defender Aaron Mokoena.

Benedict Vilakazi increased the tally to 2-0 in the 60th minute.

The Orlando Pirates midfielder was fed a through pass by Benedict

McCarthy. Bottled by three defenders, the diminutive player

outsprinted his markers before rattling the nett, leaving Etafia

sprawled on the ground.

But Makinwa Ayodele reduced the lead to 2-1 a minute later. His

close range shot from a goalmouth scramble sailed past Bafana

Bafana goalkeeper Hans Vonk, who otherwise had a good game.

Siyabonga Nomvete, who replaced Bartlett in the 75th minute,

almost registered his name on the sheet in the 77th minute but his

goal was disallowed when he was adjudged offside.

Gift Leremi, who came on for Delron Buckley in the 72nd minute,

turned on the heat and the Nigerians began to backpedal.

Leremi forced Etafia to dive full length and block his

blistering shot in the 82nd minute when the Nigerians appeared to

be at sixes and sevens.

But Bafana Bafana should have won by a wider margin.

They came close in the 17th minute. The move was started by

Bartlett who passed to Quinton Fortune. The left-footed midfielder

fed McCarthy but Delron Buckley's last touch spoiled the move when

he ballooned the ball over.

Bafana, who never gave up trying, pushed forward and forced the

corner-kick in the 22nd minute which lead to their first goal.

The wounded Super Eagles fought back gallanty and came close to

cancelling Bartlett's goal but 'keeper Vonk brought all his vast

experience to the fore thwarting Benedict Akwuegbu's attempt in the

29th minute.

Zuma should have increased the score in the 35th minute but his

unselfishness saw him cross to Vikalazi, who missed the ball

completely.

Bafana Bafana were lacking in the middle where Fortune was found

wanting. It was only after the introduction of Leremi and Jabu Pule

that they began holding their own.

The real excitement in the 10th Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup

match was when when Mandela himself did a lap of honour in a cart.

He was joined on the pitch by other dignatories including deputy

president Jacob Zuma, sports minister Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile

and Safa president Molefi Oliphant.

The former president, who turned 86 in July, stood motionless

throughout the singing of both countries' national anthems before

shaking hands with all the players.