Home team Super Eagles are down by a classy Themba Zwane goal halfway through this all-important 2026 World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
Nigeria started brightly and could have gone ahead as early as the third minute, but Paul Onuachu failed to direct his header goalwards.
On the eighth minute, Ademola Lookman saw his shot at goal miss target not by much, before South Africa gradually began to grow into this encounter.
Teboho Mokoena’s free kick in the 16th minute brushed against the crossbar with the Super Eagles goalkeeper stranded.
The visitors will then be rewarded in the 28th minute, when Themba Zwane took on the Nigerian defence on his own before he fired home the opening goal.
Benjamin Tanimu had to come to the rescue of the Super Eagles on 36 minutes, when goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was beaten by a chipped effort but the Tanzania-based defender headed to safety.
South Africa continued to pour forward, but Elias Mokwana failed to finish off another sleek attacking move even when he was face-to-face with Nwabali.
Three minutes to the break, Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams held on to a header by Onuachu.
Everything to play for in the second half.
Super Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3) vs South Africa: Nwabali-Osayi, Bassey, Benjamin Tanimu, Semi Ajayi – Ndidi (Captain), Iwobi, Dele-Bashiru – Ademola Lookman, Onuachu, Iheanacho
