World Cup qualifier… Preview, team news… All details as Super Eagles host South Africa
Nigeria will host South Africa in the third week of the Confederation of African (CAF) World Cup qualifiers on Friday night at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Bafana Bafana will want get revenge on Nigeria for eliminating them in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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The Super Eagles, with two points from two games, are in fourth place in Group C going into this encounter, while South Africa is in second place, just one point ahead of their host who will have to take all the three points here if they are to sit at the top of the group for now atleast and stand a better chance of qualifying for their seventh World Cup after missing the last one in Qatar.
Nigeria has the upper hand when it comes to head-to-head between the two African giants. The Super Eagles have won seven, drawn five and lost just two in their 14 encounters.
NIGERIA VS SOUTH AFRICA TEAM NEWS
Nigeria’s new head coach Finidi George will be missing some of his key players going into this game especially Victor Osimhen of Napoli who is out for four weeks due to injury.
But on the positive, Victor Boniface is back to the team after missing the 2023 AFCON due to an injury.
It came as a surprise for many fans when Finidi decided not to call up Ahmed Musa and veteran defender Kenneth Omeruo for these qualifiers. In another related news, Nathan Tella also requested to be excused due to personal reasons.
Grant Kekana was forced to quit the team’s training camp due to a hamstring injury, therefore South Africa will be without his services. Broos have selected Given Msimango of Kaizer Chiefs to replace him at the centre back position.
Despite being considered an injury doubt, Ronwen Williams, who stopped an amazing four out of five penalties against Cape Verde in the AFCON quarterfinal, travelled with the team and is a candidate to start.
NIGERIA PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP:
Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Tanimu, Bassey, Ndidi, Onyedika, Lookman, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Boniface.
SOUTH AFRICA PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP:
Williams, Mobbie, Mvala, Ngezana, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Tau, Zwane, Appollis, Rayners.
NIGERIA VS SOUTH AFRICA TIME AND VENUE:
Kick-off date is Friday 7th May, 2024
Kick-off time is 8:00PM (WAT)
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
NIGERIA VS SOUTH AFRICA PREDICTION:
Although Nigeria has traditionally held the upper hand in this rivalry, South Africa has significantly narrowed the gap in recent years, as evident in their thrilling AFCON encounter that required penalties to decide a winner.
This Friday’s match is anticipated to be another intense and closely fought battle, with both African heavyweights likely to end the game on level terms, with no clear winner at the final whistle.
Prediction: 1-1 draw.
See also: Journey to coaching, playing style… All to know about Liverpool’s new coach, Arne Slot
