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By Des Kelly in Durban
Absolute shocker: Yakubu is guilty of one of the worst misses in World Cup history as South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong is left a relieved manAfrica's World Cup flags are falling one by one as the continent lose their grip on a tournament they had been proud to call their own for the very first time.
Nigeria followed hosts South Africa and Cameroon out of the competition on Tuesday night, helped by what must rank as the most amazing miss in World Cup history by Everton striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu in a gripping second half.
It is a moment that will live forever in football blooper compilations, and will ultimately be all Nigeria are remembered for as yet another campaign ended in a familiar story of missed opportunities and regrets.
Despite a late, desperate flurry, they were outworked and outfought by an eager South Korea, who progress from Group B as runners-up to face Uruguay in the last 16 on Saturday.
With the Ivory Coast in serious trouble, Algeria bottom of their group and Ghana facing Germany today with their qualification far from assured, Africa is in serious danger of being left with no representatives during the knock-out stages.
Jumping for joy: Lee Jung-Soo (up) celebrates with team-mate Park Chu-Young after equalising at 1-1 past Nigeria's crestfallen goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (L)For South Korea, it was a night of triumph. Paired with Argentina's defeat of Greece, this draw sealed their first adventure beyond the group stages on foreign soil, reviving memories of that glorious run to the semi-finals in 2002.
As the final whistle sounded, the Korean players wiped away tears of celebration and knelt in a circle to say a prayer of thanks in front of their own fans.
In contrast, the not-so-super Super Eagles slunk
Great start: Ikechukwu Uche wheels away after putting Nigeria aheadTheir Swedish coach, Lars Lagerback, having taken charge only in the run-up to the tournament, was already being asked whether he would remain in the job.
'I have really enjoyed being coach, but as to the future, I'd like to stay but I just don't know,' he said.
Nigeria had five players based with England clubs on display, but they were all eclipsed by the familiar industry of Manchester United's Korean dynamo Park Ji-sung.
He said whatever happened now his nation's aims at this World Cup had already been realised.
'Our goal was to reach the last 16 and we have done it,' he said. 'We're so proud and so pleased.'
Their journey might not end there, as Korea's non-stop running style will certainly pose problems for Uruguay.
Spot on: Yakubu makes amends moments later to convert his equaliser for the penalty, making it 2-2Nigeria had spent the final days before this match renegotiating their win bonuses, which was a worrying sign of their commitment, but, unpredictable as ever, they took the lead.
Chidi Odiah sped down the right wing and hustled his way to the byline to whip a low cross for Kalu Uche to stab in.
But there is no underestimating Nigeria's capacity to create problems for themselves. Chinedu Obasi was booked for needlessly dragging down Lee Young-pyo and an unmarked Lee Jung- soo equalised from the free-kick with a mistimed header that bounced in off his leg.
Nigeria's players gathered in a circle on the pitch either side of the half-time interval, trying to rouse one another to renewed efforts.
But Park Chu-young's curling free-kick around the wall four minutes after the restart - the first goal of this World Cup direct from a dead-ball strike - was a hammer blow to the Africans' chances.
Happy days: South Korea players celebrate after progressing to the second roundNigeria then looked lost and out as Yakubu, presented with an open goal, conspired to miss the simplest sidefoot when it seemed easier to score.
Even watching the replay over and over again, you expected him to pull Nigeria level from three yards out, only it didn't happen for the Everton striker.
Afterwards, Yakubu was taken away for the routine drug test, possibly on the basis that he must have been on something to commit such a heinous error. But the drama was not finished for Yakubu or Nigeria. Within 90 seconds, Korean substitute Kim Nam-il dawdled in possession in his own box and Obasi stole in, only to be brought down from behind.
Yakubu, having just blown the opportunity to equalise, recovered his composure sufficiently and slotted in the penalty to take Nigeria level on the night.
If only substitute Obafemi Martins had shown the same cool. On for a weary-looking Nwankwo Kanu, the Wolfsburg striker missed a wonderful opportunity to salvage Nigeria's World Cup as he chipped over goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong but wide of the upright.
With it went Nigeria's last hope. The question is whether the rest of Africa will follow?
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Obafemi Martins of Nigeria is surrounded by Lee Chung-Yong, Kim Jung-Woo, Park Ji-Sung and Ki Sung-Yueng of South Korea during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Nigeria and South Korea at Durban Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Park Ji-Sung of South Korea has his shirt pulled by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Nigeria and South Korea at Durban Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (L) and South Korea's midfielder Park Ji-Sung jump for a ball during their Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 22, 2010 at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.
South Korea's striker Park Chu-Young (R) vies with Nigeria's defender Elderson Echiejile during their Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 22, 2010 at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. The match ended in a draw 2-2. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE.
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama dives but fails to stop a free kick for goal by South Korea's striker Park Chu-Young (not pictured) during the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match between Nigeria and South Korea on June 22, 2010 at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Lee Jung-Soo of South Korea scores the equalising goal past Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Nigeria and South Korea at Durban Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Lee Jung-Soo of South Korea (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring the equalising goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Nigeria and South Korea at Durban Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.
South Korea's defender Cho Yong-Hyung (4) vies with Nigeria's striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni during their Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 22, 2010 at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. The match ended in a draw 2-2. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE.
South Korean soccer fans gather to watch a live TV broadcast of their 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match against Nigeria in Durban, at the Seoul City Hall Plaza June 23, 2010. South Korea drew 2-2 in a tense match with Nigeria to advance to the second round of the World Cup on Tuesday.
South Korean soccer supporters react, in Seoul, South Korea, after their soccer team scored the first goal against Nigeria during their 2010 World Cup Group B game taking place in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, June 23, 2010. The game ended in a 2-2 draw and Nigeria is out of the competition.
Soccer fans gather in front of City Hall Plaza in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 to watch a TV broadcasting South Korea's World Cup Group B match against Nigeria held in Durban, South Africa. South Korea reached the second round of the World Cup by holding Nigeria to a 2-2 draw.
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