IT’S a date neither of us expected.
Bafana Bafana are preparing to face off with its arch rivals Nigeria on Wednesday night, in the 2023 Afcon semi-finals.
Both sides have had a going at each other both on and off the field, and it seems it will not end anytime soon. They will be meeting again for the FIFA WC qualifiers.
Yes, the grass suffers and football wins at the end.
Coach Hugo Broos charges march into an all-important game having beaten the stubborn Cape Verde on penalties.
The Belgian says the Bafana clash will not be easy because Nigeria are a tough opponent and have done well so far at the Afcon showpiece. He won Afcon with Cameroon back in 2017.
As for Bafana, they’re now geared to meet the Super Eagles in a special tie, despite off the pitch dilemma such as disarray with bonus rows and reports of non-payments with head coach Peseiro.
“I think Nigeria is a team that has become better and better throughout the competition when I saw them against Angola, I saw a very good team, with a very good striker, a few good players,”Broos was quoted.
“(Ademola) Lookman, the one who scored the goal, very good player, so we have to analyse a bit more because we didn’t have the time [before the quarter-final].
“We know now that it’s us in the semi-finals – so we’ll analyse as soon as we can and see how we can use their weaknesses in the team but also be aware of the qualities they have.
“It’s special for both teams, in a few months we play against each other for the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, so it can be a test for both of us.”
Again, as long Bafana avoid complacency they could book a date into the finals- that would be historical. Yes, into the finals.
Believe or not, this is a date that never was!
Image (Smiling assassin. Bafana’s coach Hugo Broos believes his charges will face a very strong Nigeria in the semis).
