'Bafana Bafana Ready for War'

SUPER Eagles' Coach, Stephen Keshi, 'must brace himself for war' Wednesday when Nigeria meets the Bafana Bafana in a Nations Cup qualifier in Cape Town, South Africa's head coach, Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba, has warned.

The Group A clash will see a confident Bafana take on nemesis Nigeria, who are wounded by their 3-2 opening weekend defeat to Congo-Brazzaville in Calabar.

South Africa, meanwhile, are brimming with confidence following their 3-0 win in Khartoum on Friday, but will face a different challenge all together when the Eagles land on South African soil.

Keshi's men famously won the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa while the West Africans trounced Bafana 3-1 in the 2014 CHAN tournament at the very stadium where the two rivals will meet tomorrow.

"This Nigeria team has been giving us nightmares, but we will fight in every game," said Mashaba.

"When two Elephants meet, it is grass that suffers. Watch out, brace yourself for war that day [when Mashaba meets Keshi], because, like I have indicated earlier on, they [Nigeria], have given us sleepless nights."

Mashaba, who took over from Gordon Igesund in July, feels a win tomorrow would change a lot of things football in South Africa for the better.

"This is one time they must brace themselves for war up to the fullest, it won't be an easy walk in the park for both teams, but what we are looking for is to come out victorious and that win will change a lot of things in our football, both in administration, media wise, any structure that you talk about," Mashaba added.

"We win that game [and] things will change for the better."

Echoing his coach's optimism, Bafana Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa, believes that with the type of vibe currently experienced in the South AFrican camp, the Super Eagles will face a massive task in Cape Town.

South Africa have only ever beaten Nigeria once before and it remains the country's toughest challenger on the continent.

"Yes, they say in soccer certain teams have their hoodoo side but we are ready for the Nigeria match. We are all determined to change the course of history and everyone cannot wait for Wednesday," Meyiwa said.

The Orlando Pirates goal-minder said they were not worried about Nigeria's internal strife and the fact that they are still smarting from a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Central Africans.

"The fact that they lost to Congo has not affected our preparations and determination; we are just concentrating on our task at hand and that is to beat them at Cape Town stadium on Wednesday.

"My only appeal to Capetonians is to buy tickets and provide an electric atmosphere. Cape Town people have never disappointed and I know they will provide that extra motivation when we trot into the pitch on Wednesday," said Meyiwa.

View the original article here