Baxter Deploys Mobara to Checkmate Ahmed Musa

South Africa coach, Stuart Baxter, is not leaving anything to chance in his quest to beat Nigeria again during Saturday’s AFCON 2019 qualifier in Uyo.

Already, he has assigned one Abbubaker Mobara to man the team’s right rear guard position of Bafana Bafana and perhaps check any incursion from Leicester City striker, Ahmed Musa, who is likely to operate from the left side of Super Eagles attack on Saturday.

Although Mobara’s traditional position is the central defence which he mans for Orlando Pirates, Baxter is reported to be impressed with Mobara’s performances against Brazil at right-back for the under23s at last year’s Olympics in Rio.

Mobara, who made 26 appearances in all competitions for Orlando Pirates, has even contributed with some goals as a midfielder, scoring two in the Nedbank Cup.

According to the coach, “I like Mobara as a player. I tried to sign him at one stage. I like him as a defender. I think in the PSL he can equip himself well in midfield.

“My spin on it is if he is going to be competing for a place, he has a better chance possibly as a full back and in an emergency at centre back,” said Baxter.

“I saw him play against Brazil in the Olympics and he played well against Neymar. His one-versus-one defending was excellent.

“His calmness on the ball when he got into the opponent’s half was also good, so I see him competing for a place there.”

Should Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr decides to field the Musa in that position on Saturday, the Leicester City forward, whose equaliser against Argentina in the 1-2 loss at the last World Cup in Brazil was rated as one of the best goals of the tournament, will have Mobara to cope with in the opening Group B match of the qualifying series.