Manchester United’s legendary manager Alex Ferguson would always refer to Manchester City as “the noisy neighbours” – a club which had a lot to say but very little to show offin the trophy cabinet.
Nigeria may not be a neighbour of South Africa, but they’ve proven to be a noisy bunch over the years whenever the Super Eagles have come up against Bafana Bafana.
Unlike City, of course, Nigeria have got good reason to be noisy, the West Africans boasting a very impressive record against Bafana, with no defeat in a competitive game.
When the Super Eagles face Bafana in an international friendly at Mbombela Stadium this Sunday (3.30pm), you can be sure Nigerian fans will come in their numbers to torment the home supporters.
But Shakes Mashaba’s boys face Nigeria eager to erase the pain they suffered at Akwa Ibom Stadium in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match last year.
Bafana were on the brink of making history against the Super Eagles, but a collapse towards the end of the game allowed the African giants to come back from two goals down to secure a 2- 2 draw which denied the visitors the victory they still crave over the enemy.
Bafana go into the game on the back of victory, the side registering a 3-1 win over Swaziland on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabo Mnyamane and Mandla Masango. But Mashaba was concerned about his side’s defending. ‘‘They really came at us and the goal they scored – my defence did not do well, we should have defended better,” he said.
Nigeria, who were beaten 1-0 by Uganda in a friendly on Wednesday, have been struggling for consistent form since being knocked out of the World Cup last year, but they have proven before that they do not have to be at their best to beat Bafana.
They have got a score to settle with Bafana, who denied them a chance to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title in Equatorial Guinea this year with that draw last year.
Andile Jali, Rivaldo Coetzee, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Sibusiso Khumalo, players who did not feature against Swaziland, are likely to start on Sunday.
And while Bafana gave up the chance of a rare victory over Nigeria last November when they let a late two-goal lead slip in Uyo, they can scarcely have a better opportunity to defeat them than on Sunday.
A Tokelo Rantie brace had South Africa in charge in their Afcon qualifier last year, before a now familiar habit of conceding late goals saw them have to settle for a 2-2 draw.
A deflated Nigeria arrive in Johannesburg today off the back of the a 1-0 home loss to Uganda, another sign of the decline of the West African side.
It means Bafana have a chance to improve their dismal record against Nigeria, having managed just a single victory in their past 11 meetings. The Super Eagles have outscored Bafana 21-5 in that time.
Nigeria’s seven victories and three draws in the past 23 years have been a painful reminder of the gulf in class between the two nations for much of that time. — Additional reporting by Nick Said
Chance to ease the pain
Nigeria may not be a neighbour of South Africa, but they’ve proven to be a noisy bunch over the years whenever the Super Eagles have come up against Bafana Bafana.
Unlike City, of course, Nigeria have got good reason to be noisy, the West Africans boasting a very impressive record against Bafana, with no defeat in a competitive game.
When the Super Eagles face Bafana in an international friendly at Mbombela Stadium this Sunday (3.30pm), you can be sure Nigerian fans will come in their numbers to torment the home supporters.
But Shakes Mashaba’s boys face Nigeria eager to erase the pain they suffered at Akwa Ibom Stadium in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match last year.
Bafana were on the brink of making history against the Super Eagles, but a collapse towards the end of the game allowed the African giants to come back from two goals down to secure a 2- 2 draw which denied the visitors the victory they still crave over the enemy.
Bafana go into the game on the back of victory, the side registering a 3-1 win over Swaziland on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabo Mnyamane and Mandla Masango. But Mashaba was concerned about his side’s defending. ‘‘They really came at us and the goal they scored – my defence did not do well, we should have defended better,” he said.
Nigeria, who were beaten 1-0 by Uganda in a friendly on Wednesday, have been struggling for consistent form since being knocked out of the World Cup last year, but they have proven before that they do not have to be at their best to beat Bafana.
They have got a score to settle with Bafana, who denied them a chance to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title in Equatorial Guinea this year with that draw last year.
Andile Jali, Rivaldo Coetzee, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Sibusiso Khumalo, players who did not feature against Swaziland, are likely to start on Sunday.
And while Bafana gave up the chance of a rare victory over Nigeria last November when they let a late two-goal lead slip in Uyo, they can scarcely have a better opportunity to defeat them than on Sunday.
A Tokelo Rantie brace had South Africa in charge in their Afcon qualifier last year, before a now familiar habit of conceding late goals saw them have to settle for a 2-2 draw.
A deflated Nigeria arrive in Johannesburg today off the back of the a 1-0 home loss to Uganda, another sign of the decline of the West African side.
It means Bafana have a chance to improve their dismal record against Nigeria, having managed just a single victory in their past 11 meetings. The Super Eagles have outscored Bafana 21-5 in that time.
Nigeria’s seven victories and three draws in the past 23 years have been a painful reminder of the gulf in class between the two nations for much of that time. — Additional reporting by Nick Said
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos