Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong expects a tough a battle in the side’s AFCON 2019 quarterfinal clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday but insists they will give their all to win the game, reports Completesports.com.
Gernot Rohr’s men booked a spot in the last eight following their 3-2 win against defending champions, the Indomitable Lions in an explosive Second Round fixture at the Alexandria Stadium last Saturday.
Now, the Eagles have to go past the South Africans in order to secure a berth in the semifinals, and Troost-Ekong believes the task is achievable.
“We met South Africa in the qualifiers, they beat us at home and we played draw in their place. This time around, it will not be easier either. It will be a tough game,” Troost-Ekong told Completesports.com at the Super Eagles Helnan Palestine Hotel base in Alexandria.
“The win against Cameroon has surely lifted us up again, and I must say everyone is looking forward to the game against South Africa. It is going to be a game between two opponents who know each other very well.
“Our target is to win the game and we will push hard to beat them. They too have good confidence now after their win against Egypt which will make the game more interesting. ”
With some pundits already backing the Super Eagles to win the game, citing the gulf in class between both teams as basis of their argument, Troost-Ekong insists that the Super Eagles will remain cautious ahead of the game.
“We have seen big teams lost to small teams. Egypt and Morocco are out. Madagascar taught us a lesson too, so we don’t see ourselves as favourites against South Africa.
“They beat the hosts which is enough reason to respect them and prepare very well before the game.”
By Adeboye Amosu (pix:by Ganiyu Yusuf) in Alexandria
3 Comments
This match again south Africa will be won by sound tactical knowledge, south Africa re very sound well train team and ve well team work, they ve good fighting spirit, work rate, man to man marking, confident with ball infact they coach ve done well to be honest for keep grooming them as a team unlike rohr who ve been with the team and yet poor coordination, poor team work and all that but surely we ve qualities individual that what scare our opponent, only GOD can save us. Up super eagle, up naija for life.
And the poor coordination has brought us thus far in history and this competition. One of the bad belles? Sniper is available…@abba
RSA are pacy, yes, we know. But we have Chukwueze, Musa and Iwobi who are fast too. Don’t also forget Onyekuru and Simon. We should make them to play our game and not theirs. That way, we will make them the babies, not Bafana Bafana!