CHAN: Nigeria meets South Africa again

The South African Team, Bafana Bafana, will be playing against th Super Eagles on Sunday. Since 1992, the South African team have only managed to beat Nigeria once in eight matches. In November 2004, the South Africans won with a 2-1 scoreline against Nigeriato win the  Nelson Mandela challenge of the year. The 2 teams met again in August 2013 for the Nelson Mandela Challenge of the year where Nigeria won with a scoreline of 2-0.

For this match, South Africa have Kaizer Chiefs trio of Bernard Parker, Itumeleng Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala in their squad. Other experienced stars in Gordon Igesund's team are Thabo Nthethe, Lerato Chabangu and Katlego Mashego among others. While Nigeria has had to bank on Ejike Uzoenyi, Rabiu Ali, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Ifeanyi Ede to lead his squad.

From the Nigerian Coach:
Keshi said in a post-match conference after guiding his men to a 4-2 over Mozambique that "South Africa have massive advantage" going into Sunday's match.
"Who are we playing next? No, seriously, this is a different tournament and you can't compare this Nigeria side with last year. South Africa have massive advantage in terms of experience, the fact their league only stopped in December and their players are still in condition. They have what it takes. We'll need a high level of concentration to overcome South Africa," said Keshi.

From the South African Coach:
Igesund has declared that he holds no fear for the Super Eagles. He made it clear that he will set up his team to attack in Sunday's game despite knowing they need a draw to reach the quarterfinals.
"Why should I be scared of Nigeria? We're not scared of anybody. We've just beaten Spain, I should be scared of Nigeria?
“My philosophy has always been play to win. When you start thinking about trying to play for a draw, you start doing the wrong things.
“I won't compromise my principles. My principles have always been, go out there and try win a match. If the other team scores three, you must score four.
“It's been my philosophy for many years and it has worked for me. There's certainly no way I'm going to go out there play defensively.
“We know that Nigeria are going into this game with only one thing on their mind, and that's to win the game. We will be offensive against them, that's the plan, we want to go forward.
“I want to attack them down the sides, have overlapping fullbacks and let's ask the questions, we need to ask a lot of questions defensively and we'll try and do that," said Igesund

The issue now is that the Super Eagles will have to win by any margin to reach the quarterfinals after picking three points from their previous two matches. Will South Africa grab their second win against Nigeria? Or will Nigeria make it to the quarterfinals?

Culled from Goal!