Nigeria vs South Africa
Time: 6 p.m.
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday will be nothing less than a war as both sides are leaving no stone unturned to outdo each other.
It is the fourth time Bafana Bafana will be playing in Nigeria and they have yet to record a win over the Super Eagles in any competitive encounter. Their only victory over Nigeria was in a friendly in Johannesburg 10 years ago.
Wednesday, however, will provide a platform on which both sides will be more desperate for a win. While the South Africans will be hoping to record their first win over Nigeria and erase their poor record against the African champions, the Eagles will be out for the kill as they seek an outright win to ensure their qualification for the 2015 AFCON.
South Africa top Group A with 11, while Nigeria are second with seven points, same as Congo. Both Nigeria and Congo are separated on goal difference, and that could change should Congo beat Sudan, who are already out of the race, and Nigeria fail to win.
South Africa, who are also looking to maintain an unbeaten run in the qualifiers, are aware of Nigeria’s dicey position. Bafana Bafana coach Shake Mashaba is sure his side will win but fears poor officiating might come to play.
Group A standings after match day 5
1. South Africa W -3 L -0 D -2 GF 7 GA 1 GD +6 PTS 11
2. Nigeria W -2 L -2 D -1 GF 7 GA 5 GD +2 PTS 7
3. Congo W -2 L -2 D-1 GF 5 GA 6 GD -1 PTS 7
4. Sudan W -1 L-4 D-0 GF-3 GA 10 GD-7 PTS 3
Head to head
Nigeria and South Africa have met ten times at full international level since their first meeting in 1992 when South Africa were readmitted back into international football.
Matches in full
10 October 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0
16 January 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0
10 February 2000 : Nigeria 2 South Africa 0
31 January 2004 : Nigeria 4 South Africa 0
17 November 2004 South Africa 2 Nigeria 1
1 June 2008 : Nigeria 2 South Africa 0
6 September 2008 : South Africa 0 Nigeria 1
14 August 2013 : South Africa 0 Nigeria 2
19 January 2014 : South Africa 1 Nigeria 3
10 September :2014 South Africa 0 Nigeria 0
A win for Super Eagles today will ensure their qualification to 2015 AFCON ahead of Congo.
