Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Tuesday crashed out of the World Cup in South Africa, dissipating a yawning opportunity to advance into the group of 16 and to cap a rather disappointing outing for Africa. They were edged out by a battling Korea Republic side after a 2-2 game at the Durban Stadium, with Nigeria not only proving uncaring of a glorious handout from Argentina. Maradona’s men beat Greece 2:0 in the other Group B game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium to hand the Super Eagles a glaring opportunity to advance, but they chose to squander perhaps some of the tournament’s easiest chances on their way to bowing out of the tournament after Cameroun, Cote d’Ivoire and hosts South Africa to emphasize the continent’s pitiable presence at the Mundial. And when Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca whistled for the end of the game, one Super Eagle player after the other found comfort in sprawling on the pitch to rue what would have been a historic national feat and a face-saving effort for Africa. Now the challenge to plant Africa’s leg in the group of 16 hangs, rather precariously, on the necks of Ghana and Algeria.