Preview : Nigeria vs South Africa

Defending the African Cup of Nations won back in 2013 is on the back of the minds of many Nigerians but the Super Eagles will have to overcome the obstacle in front of them today in Uyo to stand a chance of making the dream work out fine. Bafana Bafana of South Africa is through the AFCON 2015 but will look to end the winless streak against Nigeria when they face the Super Eagles in Nigeria on Wednesday. South Africa coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba will want to continue his good start to his reign with the Bafana Bafana by helping his team secure a victory. South Africa is unbeaten in the 2015 qualifying series and a loss against Nigeria will not even take them off the first place position. Mashaba will be looking forward to the match as he is expected to field a strong line-up as they have nothing to lose against the Super Eagles. Nigeria on the other hand has never lost a competitive match to South Africa and they will hope to make it remain like that with the full support of the fans.

Stephen Keshi led Super Eagles will have to take the three maximum points if they are to qualify without any issue as Congo will be looking to take the maximum points in Sudan. Anything but the victory may be disastrous for the Super Eagles. Their hopes were revived after a hard earned 2-0 away win in Congo at the weekend and Stephen Keshi will hope his boys can wrap it all up today and make it to AFCON 2015. South Africa confirmed their place in the finals after a 2-1 win home win against Sudan last weekend even without some of their regular players. The South Africans will have a lot to do to keep their focus and stay concentrated as the result has nothing to do with their position in the group. The South Africans will only be playing for pride and it will definitely be a crunchy tie.

Although the Super Eagles will be playing in front of their fans, the loss to Congo should have taught them some lessons knowing fully well the South Africans can also win here in Nigeria. Ikechukwu Uche’s return has added more to the attack and he is expected to start alongside Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa. Onazi and Mikel are both expected to start in the midfield. Enyeama, Oshaniwa, Omeruo, Egwueke and Ambrose are all expected to start in the defensive set up. The South Africans will be without Thulani Serero and Lehlohonolo Majoro but will hope to give their best all the same.

The Super Eagles need nothing but victory and the team is in pole position to grab the maximum three points today. However, it will not come easy as the South Africans will do their best to frustrate the Nigeria national team. Although anything is possible in football but the Super Eagles should see out this one against favourite South Africa.