It’ll be difficult to beat Nigeria, ex- Bafana Bafana player says

THE Super Eagles of Nigeria may have won the semifinal clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa even before the match kicks off, if a declaration by former South Africa winger, Junior Khanye, is anything to go by.

Both teams will battle for the final ticket of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow at Stade Bouake, and Khanye says Bafana Bafana’s journey in the AFCON has come to an end.

“It’s over for us,” Khanye said. “We are lucky to be where we are at the moment. Nigeria is going to beat us, and that is when we will get a wake- up call. I’m not saying this because I’m being negative, but it’s just me stating facts.

“I love Bafana Bafana, and I want to see them doing well. But, this is our last game, those guys ( Nigeria) are going to punish us,” said Khanye as cited by The Citizen.

The former Kaizer Chiefs player made the declaration in his analysis of South Africa’s performance during their quarterfinal game against Cape Verde, which

Bafana Bafana won 2- 1 in penalty shootout.

He stressed that they were lucky to have overcome the challenges by Cape Verde to reach the semifinal. The 38- year- old advised his compatriots to pack their bags, adding that it would be difficult to beat Nigeria. Khanye took a swipe at the team for their defensive approach to the match against Cape Verde, adding that they were only lucky to have won. He gave kudos to goalkeeper and captain, Ronwen Williams, for saving four of the five kicks taken by the opponents.

“We could have lost that game. But luckily, we were very lucky. And listen, I’m saying we were very lucky, but we also need to give to Ronwen Williams ( some credits). He was the star of the show and saved those penalties very well, we must give credit to him for that.

“But, when it comes to playing, we were terrible. We were defending too much. I think our game against Cape Verde was our worst at the tournament when I looked at the other matches.”