Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana in supremacy battle – Nigeria V South Africa Preview

Super Eagles of Nigeria face probably the toughest match of their 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, as South Africa’s Bafana Bafana make the trip to Lagos.

By Nnaemeka Meribe

• Super Eagles of Nigeria. Photo Credit: Reuters

Super Eagles are under enormous pressure to win at home although this is just their third Group C match.

The three-times African champions go into Saturday’s match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, tied with Seychelles in second position on the log, and desperate for a win in order to lead the group after the encounter.

Their shocking stoppage time defeat away to Libya last time out brought the players down to earth and it means anything less than a win in the weekend encounter with Bafana Bafana could be a deadly blow.

The Gernot Rohr’s side now need to up their game, having spent considerable time on the training ground with most players injury free.

Weekend offers them a good opportunity to confirm their superiority over their South African counterparts, who are currently on a run of good form having won their last four matches.

South Africa

South Africa currently atop the group, may be going for a draw - or even a win - to maintain their position.  A win appears an uphill task, but considering the splendid game they had in their second match against Libya, anything is still possible.

• Libya's Muaid Ellafi is challenged by Sifiso Hlanti of South Africa. Photo credit: www.espn.com

This is Bafana Bafana’s first game away in the qualifiers and they will want to prove that they do not owe their good form so far to home advantage.

Managed by Stuart Baxter since 2016, South Africa have enjoyed good results so far in the qualifiers.

An impressive 3-0 win at home to the group’s weakest team on paper, Seychelles, was a result for them, but it was their 4-0 humbling of Libya at home that showed that they were the team to beat in the group.

Team news

Super Eagles will have almost all their players for the match. Kelechi Iheanacho is back to full training after suffering a groin injury, and the Leicester city striker could start alongside Chesea’s Victor Moses and Shanghai FC’s Odion Ighalo in what is growing into one of Africa’s most deadly front threes.

Skipper Mikel Obi will be assisted in the centre by midfield powerhouse, Wilfred Ndidi and fit again Ogenyi Onazi, who is rumoured to have agreed a fee with Israeli clubside, Maccabi Tel Aviv.

William Troost-Ekong has yet to start since the goaless draw in Seychelles, missing out against both Libya, so coach Rohr may want to bring him back in at right-back due to his form.

South Africa will be facing the greatest test to their newfound form as key players Steve Matthew, Themba Zwane and Bongani Zungu are out with injuries.

In the absence of the trio, Aubrey Modiba, Calvin Tethe and Tiyani Mabunda will have to prove that they are as good by doing the against Nigeria.

Did you know?

Rohr is still unbeaten as Super Eagles gaffer at home since 2014 when he took over from Samson Siasia.

That’s a total of 14 matches, with 11 victories and four draws in that time, restoring the feeling of invincibility at home.

Super Eagles have yet to lose a game to South Africa - whether home or away – since 1992 when the two teams met for the first time.

Prediction

Nigeria 3 – 1 South Africa