After steering South Africa to a 3-1 defeat of Swaziland, Coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has boasted that the Super Eagles would suffer a similar fate in the hands of the Bafana Bafana in tomorrow’s international friendly match at the Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit.
South Africa are riding on a crest-wave of renewed soccer optimism following the thumping of Swaziland on Wednesday, with fans of the former apartheid state hailing the boys for their strong show of performance away from home.
The win in Swaziland somehow made up for their shock exit at the last African Cup of Nations and with the team facing old rivals Nigeria tomorrow, Coach Mashaba, while noting that the Eagles want to avenge their failure to qualify for the last AFCON in the hands of South Africa, said that he was sure that his troops can come up with the goods that will see them emerge winners.
“Of course the Nigerians are still feeling bitter after we knocked them out,” said the tactician. “To them, it’s payback time. Of course they still want to show us that they are still the best when comes to football in Africa.” Mashaba admits that it will be difficult to plan for the game against a Super Eagles outfit that has made significant changes since the two sides last met in a 2-2 AFCON qualifying draw back in November 2014.
“Like I always say, you challenge teams based on what you have seen in the past, but unfortunately when you get to this because it’s a practice match, they don’t bring what you expect,” the coach continued.
“But we are not going to believe that is going to be an easy game, it’s going to be a tough match. We will definitely again put up a strong side in this game and our players must be prepared to compete and get the victory against the Nigerians”. After 11 games between both countries, Nigeria have only lost to South Africa on one occasion, with three matches, including the most recent, both ending in draws.
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