Former Super Eagles and Borussia Dortmund forward, Victor Ikpeba Nosa, has warned the Nigeria Football team to be wary of the threat South Africa pose, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa will play against the Super Eagles after both sides met at the AFCON 2023 semi-final, where the game ended in a penalty shoot-out, with Stanley Nwabali stepping up to be Nigeria’s hero.
Ikpeba, who won the AFCON 1994 title with the Super Eagles warned the Nigerian footballers to be very careful against the South Africans, and in the same vein, called for the Nigerian populace to give their support to the Super Eagles, so they can make the most of their home advantage.
“South Africa will be stubborn as we saw at the last AFCON. They have a lot going for them and are no longer intimidated by Nigeria. The Super Eagles have to therefore step up to beat them in Uyo. It won’t be an easy match, but Nigeria have the players to win. This is a game of their lives and Finidi (George) has to get them to win this match. We have to support the team to get the job done,” the 50-year-old told Score Nigeria.
Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen and Nathan Tella. The former will be unavailable due to an injury he sustained with Napoli, while the latter pulled out of the squad for family reasons. The pair have been replaced by Kenneth Igboke and Ibrahim Olawoyin.