SHAKES Mashaba's comments yesterday that his Nigeria counterpart Stephen Keshi will want to win here against South Africa tomorrow "because he believes he should have been the coach" are likely to spark a war of words between the two mentors.
Asked what type of game he expected when Bafana Bafana host the Super Eagles in their Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier (Cape Town Stadium, 8.15pm) Mashaba said it would be a mental rather than a tactical affair.
"This physiological battle has been passed on from one generation to another, unfortunately. Nigeria will once again come out fighting, not like sheep to slaughter.
"One other thing, the coach [Keshi] will also want to fight because he believes he should have been the coach of the South African team. He is going to try and use all physiological tactics to make sure his players perform above his instructions," said Mashaba.
Keshi is currently the caretaker coach for Nigeria with negotiations over a new contract ongoing.
"For them it's a good thing to have him there because there's this unfinished story between us and them, and I don't think Nigeria would settle for a new coach so late, especially having lost their first match. The players like him [Keshi] and it gives them an opportunity to keep working with him, which is an added advantage," Mashaba said.
While the Super Eagles were stunned by Congo at the weekend, Mashaba and his men got off to a flying start in the qualifiers with a 3-0 away win over Sudan in Khartoum last Friday.
"I think in about 12 matches we have only beaten these guys [Nigeria] once.
"That's got to end. But this game is not going to be tactical. We keep telling the boys that they will need some serious mental strength in this game."
On Nigeria's possible ban - Fifa want controversially elected Chris Giwa removed as the federation president - Mashaba said it was up to the administrators to sort it out.
"It's very dangerous to give an answer to that," he said.
Bafana will look to Sibusiso Vilakazi, Friday's two-goal hero in the 3-0 win over Sudan, for some inspiration against the Super Eagles.
Shakes has a dig at Keshi
SHAKES Mashaba's comments yesterday that his Nigeria counterpart Stephen Keshi will want to win here against South Africa tomorrow "because he believes he should have been the coach" are likely to spark a war of words between the two mentors.
Asked what type of game he expected when Bafana Bafana host the Super Eagles in their Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier (Cape Town Stadium, 8.15pm) Mashaba said it would be a mental rather than a tactical affair.
"This physiological battle has been passed on from one generation to another, unfortunately. Nigeria will once again come out fighting, not like sheep to slaughter.
"One other thing, the coach [Keshi] will also want to fight because he believes he should have been the coach of the South African team. He is going to try and use all physiological tactics to make sure his players perform above his instructions," said Mashaba.
Keshi is currently the caretaker coach for Nigeria with negotiations over a new contract ongoing.
"For them it's a good thing to have him there because there's this unfinished story between us and them, and I don't think Nigeria would settle for a new coach so late, especially having lost their first match. The players like him [Keshi] and it gives them an opportunity to keep working with him, which is an added advantage," Mashaba said.
While the Super Eagles were stunned by Congo at the weekend, Mashaba and his men got off to a flying start in the qualifiers with a 3-0 away win over Sudan in Khartoum last Friday.
"I think in about 12 matches we have only beaten these guys [Nigeria] once.
"That's got to end. But this game is not going to be tactical. We keep telling the boys that they will need some serious mental strength in this game."
On Nigeria's possible ban - Fifa want controversially elected Chris Giwa removed as the federation president - Mashaba said it was up to the administrators to sort it out.
"It's very dangerous to give an answer to that," he said.
Bafana will look to Sibusiso Vilakazi, Friday's two-goal hero in the 3-0 win over Sudan, for some inspiration against the Super Eagles.
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