MUCH like Bafana Bafana, Africa Cup of Nations champions, Nigeria will use tonight's Nelson Mandela Challenge at Moses Mabhida Stadium to shape up for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Calabar.
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi expressed lavish admiration for Gordon Igesund and his men, saying Bafana were the ideal opponents to drill them into shape.
The two teams are worlds apart, both in rankings and achievements in recent times, and if anyone stands to benefit from the fixture it will be Bafana.
But Keshi said they were not taking the Afcon quarterfinalists lightly and would field their strongest starting XI, which is without influential players Emmanuel Emenike and John Obi Mikel.
"I think South Africa are the right team to play now in preparation for our game against Malawi, based on their similar styles of play," Keshi said. "Gordon Igesund is doing a very good job, based on what I saw of Bafana in the Nations Cup. He is somebody that likes his team to play entertaining football and employs a pressing game. It appears that his message is going across to the players, which is not easy if you've recently come on board as a coach of the national team.
"I was very happy that Safa retained him after the Nations Cup, it shows that the football association is looking for continuity and progress for the team. Most associations kick the coach out if the teams do not reach the final."
The Super Eagles looked razor-sharp at shooting practice this week and it appears they will attack from the wings.
Keshi feels Bafana are the ideal opponents
MUCH like Bafana Bafana, Africa Cup of Nations champions, Nigeria will use tonight's Nelson Mandela Challenge at Moses Mabhida Stadium to shape up for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Calabar.
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi expressed lavish admiration for Gordon Igesund and his men, saying Bafana were the ideal opponents to drill them into shape.
The two teams are worlds apart, both in rankings and achievements in recent times, and if anyone stands to benefit from the fixture it will be Bafana.
But Keshi said they were not taking the Afcon quarterfinalists lightly and would field their strongest starting XI, which is without influential players Emmanuel Emenike and John Obi Mikel.
"I think South Africa are the right team to play now in preparation for our game against Malawi, based on their similar styles of play," Keshi said. "Gordon Igesund is doing a very good job, based on what I saw of Bafana in the Nations Cup. He is somebody that likes his team to play entertaining football and employs a pressing game. It appears that his message is going across to the players, which is not easy if you've recently come on board as a coach of the national team.
"I was very happy that Safa retained him after the Nations Cup, it shows that the football association is looking for continuity and progress for the team. Most associations kick the coach out if the teams do not reach the final."
The Super Eagles looked razor-sharp at shooting practice this week and it appears they will attack from the wings.
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