The Super Eagles arrived Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday for the
showdown against the Bafana Bafana in the annual Nelson Mandela
Challenge on August 14 in Durban.
Coach Stephen Keshi on arrival at the OR Thambo International Airport,
alongside four players, told the News Agency of Nigeria that other
foreign-based players would join the contingent in South Africa.
The Super Eagles would tackle their host at the Moses Mabhida Stadium
to commemorate the birthday of the South African icon and raise money
for his charity project.
Keshi urged Nigerians to pray for good health and for the players to
be injury free.
He said: “Nigerians should pray for the boys to be in good health.
“If they are in good health, they will be able to give Nigerians what
they like to see, which good football is.”
In spite of the fact that the match is a friendly, the Super Eagles
coach stressed that the match bordered on prestige.
He said: “Every match is important for us, especially against an
important opponent like Bafana Bafana and every match we engage in is
very important.
“So we won’t travel six hours from Nigeria to South Africa not to be
committed to victory.”
Keshi, who was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994
edition of the AFCON in Tunisia, said the team will give its best.
“I am not God to tell Nigerians the outcome of the match, but am sure
the players will give their best and make the country proud,” he said.
Keshi, however, said that all the players invited for the match will
honour the call, except the two players that had been granted
permission to stay away.
In the meantime, two other Bafana Bafana players have also pulled out
of the team, due to injuries.
The latest withdrawal brings to eight the number of players that have
withdrawn from the ones earlier invited to camp.
It would be recalled that six of the Orlando Pirates players were
recalled from the national team, through the permission of the South
Africa Football Association.
The team would engage Al Ahly of Egypt on August 18 in the CAF
Champions League competition in South Africa.
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