South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba believes Nigeria left Sunday’s match venue the happier of the two sides.
Bongani Zungu’s stoppage time goal secured a 1-1 draw for Bafana Bafana at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
The hosts had dominated most of the game, but failed to take their chances with Andile Jali missing a penalty just after the hour mark.
Ahmed Musa opened the scoring with a spectacular effort with five minutes remaining before Zungu pounced.
Mashaba explained that to his mind Nigeria approached the game negatively, with the Super Eagles the happier of the two sides at the final whistle despite conceding a late equaliser.
“We were supposed to have walked this game. Our plan was to build on from the back because somehow I felt that they would be coming playing negatively,” Mashaba was quoted by Africanfootball.com as saying.
“They were happy with a draw, you could see the way they played, they parked at the back there and then if you look at the back we were on occasion making between 12 and 13 passes. They wouldn’t come out and pick us up. I think that shows that they were comfortable with a draw.”
The Bafana Bafana mentor was pleased with his side’s overall play, but lamented his troops’ lack of killer instinct in front of goal.
“When we took a game to them, just with a bit of mobility into open spaces, we came out strong. The only thing that we still need to address is finishing,” Mashaba continued.
“First half without any doubt it was our half, second half up until we missed the penalty, that is when things started changing. They started coming at us.
“We were in the driving seat, I think the boys did very well. Only thing we need to work on is finishing, we do create chances, the only problem is finishing.”
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