A detailed preview on the 2015 Nations Cup qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria.
Date: Wednesday, 10th September, 2014
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
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Time: 7pm
South Africa cruised to a 3-0 win against Sudan in their first match of the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers.
They will be looking to consolidate their perfect start by taking advantage of a Nigerian side who were made to pay for an abysmal display by losing at home to Congo. Although South Africa’s record against Nigeria is poor, they will be looking to win only their second match in nine meetings with Nigeria. Their last win against Nigeria came in 2004. Despite the loss to Congo, South Africa’s Coach, Mashaba is conservative on his country’s chances. He said, “We are meeting our nemesis but my gut feel(ing) is that all that is about to change”.
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Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi has a lot of work to do in order to raise the morale of his boys. He refused to be deterred by the loss to Congo. After the game he said, “Everybody is going to lose someday. We cannot win all the games all the time”. Keshi will be hoping for an improved performance on Wednesday.
SQUADS:
SOUTH AFRICA
Goal Keepers:
S. Meyiwa
D. Keet
Defenders:
T. Hlatshwayo
D. Keet
S. Khumalo
R. Mphahlele
T. Matlaba
N. Nyauza
E. Mathoho
R. Mphahlele
A. Ngcongca
R. Coetzee
Midfielders:
N. Ntuli
K. Dolly
S. Vilakazi
T. Zwane
D. Furman
M. Masango
O. Manyisa
A. Jali
K. Mokotjo
Forwards:
B. Ndulala
D. Zulu
T. Rantie
NIGERIA
Goalkeepers:
A. Ejide
C. Agbim
D. Obiazor
Defenders:
A. Egwuekwe
K. Omeruo
K. Odunlami
E. Echiejile
J. Oshaniwa
E. Ambrose
G. Oboabona
Midfielders:
J. Mikel Obi
O. Onazi
R. Azeez
J. Obi
N. Igiebor
O. Aluko
Forwards:
U. Nwofor
N. Oduamadi
C. Osaguona
A. Musa
E. Emenike
C. Obasi
G. Salami
I. Uche
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS:
Below are the head-to-head results of clashes between these two sides in their last five games.
17th Nov. 2004 South Africa 2 1 Nigeria International Friendly
1st June 2008 Nigeria 2 0 South Africa FIFA WCQ
6th Sept. 2008 South Africa 0 1 Nigeria FIFA WCQ
14th Aug. 2013 South Africa 0 2 Nigeria International Friendly
19th Jan. 2014 South Africa 1 3 Nigeria CHAN
The Bafana Bafana have played nine games with Nigeria, Losing 7, drawing 1 and winning only 1 whilst scoring 3 and conceding 19 in the process.
LAST FIVE GAMES
SOUTH AFRICA L L D D W
NIGERIA D W L L L
FIFA RANKING AS AT AUGUST
SOUTH AFRICA 69th
NIGERIA 33rd
Ayo-Oluwa Obafemi is a football analyst and an independent/freelance writer. Follow him at @ayooluwa2009.
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