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EAGLES EYE QUALIFICATIONS IN JO'BURG



It was a thrilling and exciting 4 days of training and synergy boding for the Super Eagles players at Stephen Keshi's stadium in Asaba as Gernot Rohr put the necessary cross and final dots to the preparations for the epic showdown against Bafana Bafana of South Africa billed for this weekend. The German tactician who was forced to make a substitutions call-up for two of his most consistence players in recent time was optimistic the team is ready to face any challenges in South Africa as they depart for Johannesburg on Thursday night.


Odion Ighalo who has been in prolific form lately, scoring 20+ goals for Changchun Yatai F.C. this season was reportedly injured after his last time outing for the Chinese club. The injury trend wasn't limited to the Eagles' striker alone as goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was equally forced to withdraw his invitation for the AFCON 2019 qualifier match due to injury sustained while in action for his LA Liga Segunda club Elche CF.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi was ruled out due to suspension after picking 2 yellow cards in as many matches while the team Captain Mikel Obi is still unavailable for National team call-up due to personal reasons.

The team had full training sessions with complement of all the 22 invited players. Although Eagles' sensational winger Samuel Kalu arrived camp late due to logistics hiccups with the French embassy but the FC Girondins Bordeaux player made it in time to join his team mates in Asaba.

The injury crises had it toll on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa team too in their build-up to the Saturday encounter with several of their top stars doubtful for the clash due to fitness concerns. France-based duo, Bongani Zungu and Keagan Dolly, as well as home-based stars; Dean Furman, Bradley Grobler and Sibusiso Vilakazi are all doubtful for the game due to injuries according to reports in South African press.

Kamohelo Mokotjo, who plays for English Championship club, Brentford has already been ruled out of the all-important clash against the Super Eagles after he sustained the injury in Brentford’s penultimate league clash against Norwich City
Although coach Stuart Baxter has called-up fringe players for their replacements but it is left to be seen whether this is going to have negative impact on their performance.

Historically, Bafana Bafana have only managed to come out victorious once in all competitive matches against the Super Eagles of Nigeria and incidentally, it was in Day 1 of the 2019 AFCON qualifier in Nigeria. They overrun the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-0 at Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo.


NIGERIA & SOUTH AFRICA AT SENIOR LEVEL
10 Oct 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier)
16 Jan 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 – Jo’burg (World Cup Qualifier)
10 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 – Lagos (Afcon semi final)
31 Jan 2004: South Africa 0 Nigeria 4 – Monastir (Afcon group stage)
17 Nov 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 – Jo’burg (Mandela Challenge)
1 June 2008: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 – Abuja (World Cup Qualifier)
6 Sep 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 – Port Elizabeth (World Cup Qual.)
11 Aug 2013: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2 – Durban (Mandela Challenge)
19 Jan 2014: South Africa 1 Nigeria 3 – Cape Town (CHAN group stage)
10 Sept 2014: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 – Cape Town (Afcon Qualifier)
19 Nov 2014: Nigeria 2 South Africa 2 – Uyo (Afcon Qualifier)
29 Mar 2015: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 – Nelspruit (Friendly).

The other time South Africa defeat Nigeria was in Mandela Cup 2-1. Ayodele Makinwa had his debut goal in that match.
Equally, South Africa denied Nigeria's participation at the last editions of the African Cup of Nations. Saturday encounter has many undertones to it. A win for Nigeria will not only seal their qualification ticket for 2019 Nations cup in Cameroon but would also re-enact the superiority prowess Eagles enjoyed over their South African counterparts in the past.


Super Eagles have won three matches in a row going to the weekend show piece encounter edging South Africa to the summit of Group E along the line while Bafana Bafana will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the qualifier when they host Nigeria at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.

The likes of Alex Iwobi of Arsenal, Ahmed Musa, Al Nasrr and the duo of 'Oyinbo wall' Leon Balogun and Tross Ekong, Brighton and Hove's and Udinese respectively are expected to lead the charge and steady the steam in the match kicks off. In the absent of Ighalo, Ahmed Musa is expected to play a pivotal role at the opposition box while Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success and Henry Onyekuru are expected to fight for the top 9 position. The South African side has not concede any goal thus far. Will Super Eagles be able to break the deadlock and sucure the vital win? Will South Africa reel on the recent yeoman performances and cause another setback for the darling Eagles?

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