On Thursday, in the ongoing African Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles will face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana for a semifinal ticket.
Speaking on radio, sports reporter Deji Omotoyinbo said that Nigeria and South Africa might not be called rivals – he’d be correct to add, not yet.
What it has become and what we can call it could be competitive jousts, because of the number of times they have met in the short time Bafana Bafana were re-admitted into the comity of football-playing nations in 1992.
The Super Eagles have won six in 13 confrontations since 1992, but the last win over the South Africans by Nigeria was five years ago – August 2013. The South Africans have grown stronger since that time.
They’ve got a 2017 win over the Uyo Eagles to demonstrate how far they’ve been improving.
Beating Egypt just verified their level of confidence last Saturday –because they deserved their win. They are going to be comfortable going into the meeting with Nigeria on Wednesday knowing they have a wonderful opportunity to make the semi-final.
Current Form: Nigeria [W-L-W-W-L]; South Africa [W-L-W-L-D]
Head to head
17/11/18 ACO South Africa 1 – 1 Nigeria
10/06/17 ACO Nigeria 0 – 2 South Africa
29/03/15 FRI South Africa 1 – 1 Nigeria
19/11/14 ACO Nigeria 2 – 2 South Africa
10/09/14 ACO South Africa 0 – 0 Nigeria
Prediction: Nigeria 3-1 South Africa
The Stuart Baxter-coached team only scored twice in Egypt but on Wednesday they will be seen advancing with another goal and a clean sheet against Nigeria.
For the Nigerians, they have already eaten the humble pie, fed to them by Madagascar and know the danger that looms if they enter the pitch with any chip on their shoulder, or any superiority complex when they take to the Cairo pitch on Wednesday.
Five duels to watch
Oghenekaro Etebo v Bongani Zungu
Etebo has been a standout performer for the Super Eagles with his energy and metronome-like coordination in the midfield and on Wednesday he will be in direct confrontation with the elegant Zungu, who dictates the pace for Bafana.
Odion Ighalo v Thulani Hlatshwayo
Ighalo has shown his predatory nature in Egypt and has added more leadership nous. Against Hlatshwayo, he will confront South Africa’s leader and fighter.
The Bafana captain will give no quarter and will use all physical avenues to prevent Ighalo from getting goals. This will be a physical battle.
Chidozie Awaziem v Thembinkosi Lorch
Awaziem has performed creditably well – both defensively and offensively even though he is playing out of position. Blessed with adequate speed, he will have to track the elusive Lorch from his right-back position.
Samuel Chukwueze v Sfiso Hlanti
If Gernot Rohr wants to go fire-for-fire then silky dribbler, Chukwueze will be the man to unlock the Bafana defence. Hlanti will have watched enough videos of the youngster’s penchant for cutting inside the pitch and will try to shoo him unto his weaker right foot.
This looks like the duel that will determine the match.
Alex Iwobi v Dean Furman
Furman is the muscle in the Bafana team and will cover every blade of grass to push his side past Nigeria – a team he has said he is “excited” to face while Iwobi will need more concentration to get away from the clutches of his marker.
What they are saying
“They are a top side, they have got many great players. We look forward to it, it is going to be a good encounter, we know them very well, and they know us very well. We are excited to play Nigeria now”. – Dean Furman, South Africa Midfielder
“The strengths of our team are humility and fighting spirit, and even against South Africa, it won’t be easy. But we also have confidence because we scored three goals against a team who did not concede a goal in the group stage and who had a very good goalkeeper.” – Gernot Rohr, Nigeria Manager
Probable Starting XI
Nigeria [4-1-4-1]: Daniel Akpeyi; Chidozie Awaziem, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Ola Aina; Wilfred Ndidi; Oghenekaro Etebo, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa; Odion Ighalo
South Africa [4-3-3]: Ronwen Williams; Sfiso Hlanti, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Buhle Mkhwanaz, Thamsanqa Mkhize; Dean Furman, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Bongani Zungu; Thembinkosi Lorch, Percy Tau, Lebo Mothiba