Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners has revealed the team’s target ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
Hugo Broos’ side will be guests of the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday.
The Stellenbosch forward vowed that losing against the Super Eagles is not an option for his side.
“If we can’t win, we must at least get a point in Nigeria,” Rayners said, as per Sowetan Live.
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“Like the coach said, he wants four points from these two games but we will try to get six points…this is football and anything can happen, we might steal the game in the last minutes in Nigeria, you saw what happened at the weekend [referring to Pirates’ win over Sundowns].”
South Africa will host the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium four days after the game against Nigeria.
Bafana Bafana have recorded one win and one draw from two games in Group C.
They currently occupy second position in the group with three points.
6 Comments
One win and a loss
It is not impossible but I reckon the super eagles might have different ideals. The Nigerian team is so unpredictable without a recognised playing pattern. If they decide to turn up..these south Africans would be lucky to avoid an embarrassing scoreline. What am I even saying? Super Eagles hardly turn up. It will end in favour of the team that wants it the more which in my opinion is the south Africans. Just my opinion.
Nigeria will beat South Africa home and away full stop!
Against Mali in Nigeria’s second game against in charge, flimsy mistakes, porous defending and rudimentary routines in front contributed to the loss.
I will be looking to see whether lessons were learnt from that encounter.
Nigeria gave Mali too much leeway at the back whilst not doing enough to wound Mali upfront.
I will expect more penetrative routines and much leadership at the back to keep the kernel locked.
It will also be interesting to see how the Super Eagles manage to dominate the midfield.
South Africa has more superior routines buttered with fluid and incisive movements.
If Nigeria plays with an attacking philosophy with high degree of communication and understanding, then a good outcome is possible.
We have the better players but South African are a more cohesive unit. If Finidi can select the right players who fit into his approach and blends them together, they could be too much for South Africa to handle.
Finidi and his management team should be bold and make brave decisions. If he insists on his 3-5-2 formation, then movements woven into it must be executed with organisation and discipline.
I am sort of getting a good feeling about the match. I think the boys will turn up. I believe they will enhance their application of instructions Finidi issues with professionalism and purpose.
They’d better oh or the knives will be out cos this is a pressure match and from what I’m seeing I’d to be proven wrong.
Finidi is not known for his detailed and meticulous approach to games tactics wise so fingers crossed.
I wish our coach will close-mark their opponent and instruct all to have the mind-set of a scorer, reduce ballooning the ball and utilize set pieces, play smart upfront,bury their chances cos SA will come to defend their rear and to catch us on a counter.
Seriously speaking under Pesseiro, we attacked without caution that is why home matches for super eagles was the most difficult games for our team, we suffered humiliation of struggling with minnows at home and now with Finnidi George no one can predict his philosophy hence the fear, doubt and apprehension that many are having including me.
I just wish them well on Friday ‘shikena’