Bafana shake Nigeria

It was obvious that this would be a prickly affair, but many had wondered if Shakes Mashaba's Bafana Bafana would hold their own against the physical Nigerians.

South Africans are less tense knowing that the kids are alright.

A goalless draw was a safe, though not the best, result last night in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between two of the continent's fiercest rivals.

This encounter, in front of near-full capacity crowd, lacked goals but was never short of heart-stopping moments - Sibusiso Vilakazi and Tokelo Rantie's bursting runs forward ending with just loud cheers but not a bulging net.

Mashaba had promised to match the Super Eagles "pound for pound" and his players followed his instructions to the tee.

Andile Jali was passed fit to play and got stuck in with no fear. Nigeria's Obi Mikel targeted Bafana's destroyer and was lucky not to have been booked by referee Joshua Bondo from Botswana.

It wasn't just the hosts who raised the stakes here following a 3-0 win away from home against Sudan in their group opener in Khartoum on Friday last week.

Nigeria had a much improved showing here, having stumbled to a 2-0 defeat in their own back yard against the Republic of Congo a day after Bafana's triumph.

The pitch was an upgrade for both sides and it allowed a better passing game.

Nigeria relied on their physicality as Bafana took them on with speed and a piano-and-shoeshine display that wowed the fans.

But no goals. Bafana skipper Senzo Meyiwa and his opposite number Austin Ejide, also the captain of his national team, were almost spectators to this rough and pacy clash at this venue.

Nigeria opted to take long-range shots because they couldn't break South Africa's resolute back four of Erick Mathoho, Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba and Thulani Hlatshwayo.

And when they came close to getting the opener with Ighodaro Osaguona's header, Mathoho cleared the ball off the line.

Bafana kept pressing, but were too frail against the opposition's defence in the penalty box.

Rantie probably had Bafana's best chance of the night in the 84th minute - one that would have secured the three points. But the striker, who had come off the bench to replace Bongani Ndulula after the halftime break, couldn't put the ball past goalkeeper Ejide.

Rantie was released clean through on goal by Vilakazi but Ejide was fully stretched to deny him a much-needed Bafana goal.

In Group A, Congo lead the way after two matches, having beaten the whipping boys Sudan 2-0 earlier in the day. Bafana have picked up four points and next face Congo away next month.

Mashaba's kids are alright.