Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has arrived Cairo, the Egyptian capital ahead of their quarter-final clash against South Africa in the on-going 2019 African Cup of Nations.
After surviving the round of 16 clash against defending champions, Indomitable Lions of Cameroun, the Super Eagles left their Helnan Palestine Hotel camp in Alexandria for Cairo to begin preparations for the quarterfinal showdown against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
The match, which holds in Cairo on Wednesday, will be another grudge game between the two countries.
South Africa nearly prevented the Super Eagles from making it to Egypt 2019 Afcon following a shock 2-0 defeat of the Nigerians in their home ground, Uyo, in the first leg of the qualifiers in 2018.
The Super Eagles, however, bounced back from the defeat to win four matches and one draw to secure an automatic ticket to the on-going tournament after missing two previous editions of the Afcon in 2015 and 2017.
Tomorrow will determine the true giant between the two sides in Cairo. While the Super Eagles secured their quarterfinal ticket at the expense of Cameroun, Bafana Bafana edged out the host nation, Egypt to create one of the biggest upsets in the competition.
The victory over the Pharaohs of Egypt has pitched the majority of Egyptian fans against the Bafana Bafana.
The Super Eagles still have the advantage over the previous meetings with South Africa after having six wins, five draws and two losses out of 13 meetings between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Coach Gernot Rohr has said his charges are very much looking forward to tomorrow’s clash, which brings together once more two teams who were involved in the same group in the qualifying campaign.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa started full preparation for Wednesday’s AFCON 2019 quarterfinal clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Monday, at the Aero Sports Complex, Cairo.
The Bafana Bafana players were in a boisterous mood all through the session led by the head coach of the team Stuart Baxter.
The Bafana Bafana stunned hosts Egypt 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium last Saturday to book their passage into last eight.
