Nigeria will likely need to extend their 10-year
unbeaten run over South Africa if they are to
reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
For the hosts, anything but victory at the newly
built Akwa Ibom International Stadium on
Wednesday could be fatal for their chances of
making the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
They currently sit in second place in Group A,
level on seven points with Claude Le Roy's
Congo, who face bottom-of-the-group Sudan in
their final qualifier.
Nigeria edge Congo in the pair's head-to-head
results so need to match or beat their result
against Sudan to ensure qualification and Stephe
Keshi, who has returned to the coach's job, has
asked his countrymen to pray for the team to do
well.
"As regards the last qualifying match against
South Africa, Nigerians should pray for us," he
told the press. "They should pray for the players
and they should be patient and they should come
out en masse to support their team to win the
match.
"They should pray for the boys to be in good
health and that they should respond well in the
match."
South Africa have already qualified for the Afcon
but will want to end a 10-year wait for victory
over Nigeria.
Shakes Mashaba's men booked their place in
Equatorial Guinea after a nervy 2-1 win over
Sudan in Durban on Saturday. Even though they
are now guaranteed top spot in Group A, the
coach warns that his players will not suffer from
a loss of focus.
"I would like to say congratulations to the player
[but] we are still left with one game, against
Nigeria," he said.
"I know people will think it is going to be a
walkover; no, we are going to put out our best
team. It is more than three points at stake when
we go to Nigeria.
"It's going to be another tough game like the on
we played today, which many thought was going
to be easy. Thanks to all the supporters, their
presence helped us conquer."
It is a decade since South Africa last beat the
Super Eagles - a 2-1 friendly international victory
in Johannesburg - and newly appointed Bafana
Bafana captain Dean Furman echoed his coach's
sentiments by promising his team will head to
Abuja to claim maximum points.
"The next match is against Nigeria and we want
to maintain our undefeated record by getting a
win," Furman said.
Oga Seun I hail thee.. Mukina help me sail this boat..

We must xttend our unbeaten run against Banana Banana even if it means robbing d match.