PREVIEW: Nigeria vs South Africa

The Super Eagles of Nigeria host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the new Akwaibom stadium, Uyo knowing that their destiny lie in their own hands if they are to make the trip to Equitorial Guinea.

Nigeria coming to this game earned impressive back to back victories over Sudan and Congo respectively with the later  played away in an hostile environment in Pointe Noire.

The Eagles who only managed one point from their first three games were on the brink of elimination, but a change in fortune in the last two games saw them topple Congo to second place on the log. A win for the eagles irrespective of what happens in Sudan takes them through.

On the other hand, South Africa are already through to the nations cup having secured 11 points from 5 games and has not lost a game thus far in the qualifiers. 

Shakes Mashaba seem to have revitalized this side that struggled to qualify for major tournaments in recent years having made it through to the AFCON for the first time since 2008(not as host).

The earlier fixture in Cape Town ended in a barren draw with South Africa undoubtedly the better side.

Head To Head

The two teams has met 10 times:

Nigeria win: 7

South Africa: 1

Draw: 2

South Africa has never beaten Nigeria in a competitive fixture with their only victory over the eagles coming in 2004 in an international friendly,the mandela cup. Ended 2-1

Nigeria last 5 games: D L W W W

South Africa last 5 games: W D W D W

A9F 11 vs South Africa

A9F makes just two changes from the team that beat Congo, Aaron Samuel comes in for the injured Hope Akpan, while Sone Aluko starts in place of Emmanuel Emenike.

Formation: 4.2.3.1

Enyeama, Efe, Egwueke, Oboabona, Oshaniwa;Mikel, Onazi; Samuel, Aluko, Musa; Uche

Kickoff: 6pm