African champions Nigeria will not defend their title

African champions Nigeria will not defend their title when the 2015 Afcon gets under way in Equatorial Guinea in January.

The Super Eagles forced South Africa's Bafana Bafana to a 2-2 draw at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, also known as the Nest of Champions, in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Wednesday, but the result proved inadequate as Congo won 1-0 in Sudan to progress from Group A along with South Africa.

Hull City winger Sone Aluko came off the bench to score twice after another England-based player, Tokelo Rantie, had given the South Africans a shock two-goal lead.

South Africa made three changes to their squad while Nigeria were without their centre-back Godfrey Oboabona due to suspension. Kenneth Omeruo took his place.

The game started with Rantie shrugging off Omeruo's challenge inside the opening five minutes, but the South African striker decided to shoot when he had Bongani Ndulula in a better position to score.

Nigeria's start to the game was sloppy and Bafana Bafana kept pushing and dragging the fullbacks of their opponents wide to create openings.

The African champions, however, had the best chance in the opening 10 minutes when CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa was played through on goal. Musa skipped past his marker and could only watch as his left-footed strike came off the woodwork.

In the 16th and 17th minute, Musa was guilty of missing two chances in quick succession. His attempts were both straight at the South African goalkeeper, Darren Keet, when he could have scooped the ball over the KV Kortrijk shot-stopper.

Just before the halfway, Ikechukwu Uche tried from range and Keet was always going to keep his tame attempt in check.

The South African backline of Eric Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Sibusiso Khumalo and Anele Ngcongca continued to keep the striking trio of Musa, Uche and Emmanuel Emenike quiet.

Three minutes to half time, Bafana Bafana got their noses in front. Rantie ghosted through Nigeria's defence and picked his spot to leave LOSC Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama sprawling on the turf.

If the first half was lethargic by the standards of the African champions, they started the second on the back foot.

Three minutes into the restart, Rantie doubled South Africa's lead. The Bournemouth FC forward made light of Omeruo's challenge and left the Nigerian centre-back sprawling on the turf before running past Enyeama and tucking away the ball despite Azubuike Egwuekwe's last-ditch attempt to stop him.

Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi, in need of a reaction, sent on Aluko for Raheem Lawal in the 52nd minute and 15 minutes later, the Hull City man gave the Super Eagles a lifeline when he tapped into the net after Uche's shot on the turn grazed the woodwork.

With 19 minutes to time, Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane was sent off for a second bookable offence and immediately Nigeria sent on an extra body up front in Aaron Samuel in place of Omeruo, who had a disappointing night in Uyo.

But the African champions could not make their numerical advantage count until four minutes into added time when Aluko shot with his weaker foot from close range to draw Nigeria level.

Aluko's goal was not enough to help Nigeria progress, but it was just enough to ensure that the Super Eagles protect their 22-year unbeaten run against South Africa in competitive games.