South
Africa head coach Ephraim
Mashaba has dismissed
speculations that he will be
fielding a very weak starting
lineup against Nigeria in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of
Nations qualifier.
The Afcon 2013 hosts though have booked a place in
the championship billed for Equatorial Guinea, the
former South Africa U17 tactician insists that his
side will be aiming to end the qualifying series
without defeat.
"First, we don’t have to break the momentum of the
team and I must tell you that the players called up
for this game are here on merit,” Mashaba told Goal.
"We will not parade a weak team against Nigeria
because we want to continue with our impressive
form and we are looking forward to winning this
game.
"Though we’ve already booked a place to the
Nations Cup, my side will be hoping to end the
qualifying series on a high note.
South Africa are yet to secure a win against the
Super Eagles, coach Mashaba insists the game
billed for the Akwa Ibom Stadium will definitely be a
different affair.
"Yesterday, today, and tomorrow will never be the
same. What happened yesterday shouldn’t be used
as a yardstick to determine what will happen
tomorrow (Wednesday).
"You are aware we’re building a new team, that is
why you can see these junior players and their
achievement tells you where the confidence is
coming from.
“We played the Eagles to a goalless draw in Cape
Town and all people could say was that my side was
fortunate. This time around, we will be hoping to
play the best of football and hopefully get a win,” he
concluded.
South Africa will be missing the services of Thulani
Serero and Lehlohonolo Majoro for this crunch game.
The duo have been ruled out due to injury