South Africa Fully Ready For Nigeria Clash

[Folami David]

Bafana Bafana completed their second and final day
of training at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on
Tuesday as they stepped up preparations for the
Nelson Mandela Challenge against Nigeria on
Wednesday.
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There was a general consensus among the players
that the clash against the Super Eagles was going to
be tough. Four players, who spoke to the press after
training, emphasised the need for a positive result
against the African champions.
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The morning training session largely focused on set
pieces as coach Gordon Igesund made notes on who
to include in his starting line-up. The Bafana coach's
plans were disrupted a bit with news that Belgian-
based defender Anele Ngcongca would not be
arriving following some excuses from his club. But
Igesund said he would have sufficient cover at right-
back where Anele normally plays.
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Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala said Bafana were aware of what to expect from the Super Eagles and that they would prepared for a fight in honour for former President Mandela.
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"It's a tough task playing against Nigeria. They are ranked number one in Africa but once again it's an opportunity for us to do well and make the nation proud. It's a big stage as we will be honouring our former State President Nelson Mandela, so it is a very important game for us," he said.
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"It's also good that we have new players in the team and it shows that our league is doing well hence it's one of the best leagues in the world. Whoever is here in the team deserves to be here because they have been doing well in their respective clubs.
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"It's always good playing here (Moses Mabhida
Stadium) as we have managed to come out with
positive results and I hope tomorrow will be no
different," he said.
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Speaking about competition for places in the national team, Tshabalala said that was a positive thing as no player was guaranteed a place in the national team.
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"Whoever plays well for their teams stand a better
chance of wearing the national team jersey and we
know how important that is. So competition is good
for us and our football in SA," he said.
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Doncaster Rover's Dean Furman said Bafana were
not overawed by the Nigeria assignment and added
that it was going to be an exciting game.
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"They have just won the Africa Cup of Nations. They are a strong side and will look to go out and improve and get into the World Cup. Like any other team, we are no different we want to get to the World Cup. It's about testing ourselves against the best teams in the world and Nigeria are one of those," said Furman.
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"We have shown over the past that we can be
competitive, Mali were very big but we were not
overshadowed. We have to go out there with the
mentality that it might get physical and if that is the
case we have to be ready for that challenge. But on
the other side we have some terrific players who can
pose a threat to them rather than worry about what
they are going to bring to us," he said.
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Furman said the withdrawal of defender Anele
Ngcongca was a disappointment but said he was
confident that whoever got selected would do the
job.
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Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana said he hoped his experience in the 2013 Cosafa Cup would come handy against Nigeria as that regional tournament was his first of that kind.

[Shola Sholaz]

They claimed to be fully ready but they were defeated 2 goals to nil. Nigeria was obvioulsy better