CHAN: Will South Africa Poor Form Against Nigeria Continue?

With a poor start at the African Nations Championship( CHAN) the Super Eagles will have to be at their best to snatch the maximum point off Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Both countries have met eight times with Nigeria getting six wins and a barren draw while South Africa got just a win against the Super Eagles in 2004 Nelson Mandela Challenge.

The host Nation started off in group A with a 3:1 win against Mozambique and a 1:1 draw against the Eagles of Mali, sitting at the top of the group with 4 points while the Super Eagles recorded a loss against Mali and a win against Mozambique leaving
the Nigerians third in group A with 3points.

Bafana Bafana must draw inspiration from some where as they need to avoid defeat in Cape Town on Sunday if they want to advance to the next stage of the Chan tournament. Maybe the not too good display by the Nigerians in their previous games will give the South Africans some hope.

How it happened in the past.....

Both countries first met in a USA 94 World Cup qualifier where the Super Eagles gave a proper thrashing to the South Africans with legendary late Rashidi Yekini brace, Richard Owobokiri and Samson Siasia making it a 4:0 victory in Lagos.

In the return Leg in South Africa, it ended in a goalless draw.

Their third meeting was in Lagos, the semi final stage of the African Cup of Nations ( AFCON). The chairman of FC Taraba, Tijani Babaginda brace was enough to send Nigeria to the final.

Probably the meeting in 2004 was a wrong fit for South Africa as they got another thorough trashing. It was at the group stage of Tunisia 94, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Joseph Yobo and a brace from Osaze Odemwingie left Bafana Bafana in a sorry state.

Still not satisfied, the South Africans chose to play Nigeria in 2004 Nelson Mandela Challenge where they got their first victory, a goal each from Shaun Bartlett and Benedict Vilakazi gave their fans something to celebrate all night long while Ayodele Makinwa scored for Nigeria.

South Africa recorded a loss again courtesy of goals from IK Uche and CAF Champions League winner with Enyimba, Uche Nwaneri in an AFCON qualifier while IK Uche put Nigeria up in the return leg in South Africa.

In 2013, Uche Nwafor's brace gave the 2014 AFCON champions victory against the South Africans in a friendly.

Who wants it more?

Nigeria needs an outright victory while at least a draw will be good for South Africa regardless of the out come of the match between Mali and Mozambique.

As host Nation, the South Africans will want to give their fans something to celebrate for after a not too good show in 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

Nigeria on the other hand have in their bench, African coach of the year, Stephen Keshi. The display of the Super Eagles at the CHAN has not been impressive but the team seem to improve in each game.