The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bafana

  • Intl friendly: Mikel hits South Africa Tuesday

    Intl friendly: Mikel hits South Africa Tuesday

    … Echiejile arrives Durban

    Chelsea star Mikel Obi will join the Super Eagles on Tuesday ahead of a friendly international against hosts South Africa in Durban.

    Mikel, who has been busy with his club’s pre-season build-up in the United States, said he will leave London for South Africa on Monday night.

    “I will be in South Africa on Tuesday morning because I will leave London Monday night. It will be an interesting game for both sides as we have World Cup qualifiers coming up soon,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com

    He played a pivotal role when Nigeria won a third African Cup of Nations title in South Africa in February.

    Meanwhile, Elderson Echiejile was one of the early birds in South Africa ahead of this Mandela Challenge match as he flew into the country on Sunday morning.

    The Sporting Braga of Portugal star said on his official website www.elderson3.com that Wednesday’s match venue Durban reminds him of his first goal for the Eagles against Mali in the semi-final of the AFCON.

    The former youth international also said he remembered the beautiful 85,000-capacity Moses Mbhida Stadium as well as the energetic Zulu dance that preceded the match against Mali in February.

     

  • Bafana drop key players against Nigeria

    Bafana drop key players against Nigeria

    south Africa coach, Gordon Igesund, has agreed to Orlando Pirates’ request to withdraw their players from the Bafana Bafana squad that will face Nigeria in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Durban on Aug. 14.

    The club made the appeal after six of its players – Senzo Meyiwa, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Thabo Matlaba and Daine Klate – were called up for national duty in a match that will be played three days before their CAF Champions League fixture against Zamalek.

    “It wasn’t an easy decision, considering that we were using this as part of our preparations for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Botswana.

    “This decision, however, is good for both parties because our nation comes first,’’ Igesund said.

    He said while he has the responsibility to the country to pick the best players, “there are times when we have to look at the broader interests of the nation, which is what I have done’’.

    The club has welcomed the decision, saying, “we are grateful that the national team has agreed to our request.

    “We have always been mindful of the fact that this is a FIFA weekend and the onus lay with the Bafana Bafana head coach on whether to release the players or not’’.

    Pirates moved to the top of CAF Champions’ League Group A with a comfortable 3-0 win over Al Ahly last weekend.

  • Friendly: Musa predicts Eagles’ victory over Bafana

    Friendly: Musa predicts Eagles’ victory over Bafana

    CSKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa, has predicted a Nigeria win over South Africa in next week’s high-profile friendly in Durban.

    Musa, who has told MTNFootball.com he will arrive Durban on Monday ahead of the Mandela Challenge clash, said he expects an interesting match with the Super Eagles eventually carrying the day.

    “I am ready for the match against South Africa, though it is a friendly I want to win it. I will arrive South Africa on Monday,” he disclosed.

    “It will be an interesting game, a nice game to play. It is coming at a good time to keep the team in good shape ahead of our September World Cup qualifier (against Malawi).”

    The dashing forward, who has been in great form for double Russia champions CSKA in the new season, said he expects a full house at the Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday afternoon.

    “We won the African Cup of Nations in South Africa and going back there will bring back good memories. The country is nice, the people are good and supported us during the Nations Cup,” he said.

     

     

  • Eagles, Bafana play for Mandela

    Eagles, Bafana play for Mandela

    The South African Senior Men’s National Team Bafana Bafana have lined up two international friendly matches in August to honor national hero and former South African State President, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

    Bafana Bafana will take on reigning African Champions Nigeria in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, 14 August 2013 while the clash against Burkina Faso (who placed second in the 2013 AFCON) on the Nelson Mandela Sport & Culture Day will be played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday 17 August 2013.

    The South African Football Association (SAFA) President Kirsten Nematandani who confirmed the dates and venues for both games said the body was excited to be associated with such a significant project for the selfless elder statesman.

    “It is a great honour for us to be associated with such a huge and significant, and also highly important project for our former State President. When we got the invitation to be part of this venture, we did not hesitate as Madiba has made a selfless sacrifice for the nation..

    “We are obviously mindful of the fact that the former President is not well in hospital. We can only wish him all the best for him to come out and be among us so he can continue to inspire us as he has done for many years. This event shows that no one can unite the country quite like he has, and we are proud to be taking part”. Nematandani is quoted on SAFA’s official facebook page.

    Bafana Bafana Head Coach Gordon Igesund is expected to announce the squad for the two matches soon after his return from the COSAFA Cup tournament in Zambia.