Hlatshwayo eager to get stuck into Nigeria

BAFANA BAFANA central defender Thulani Hlatshwayo, pictured above, is relishing the opportunity of coming up against arch- enemies Nigeria in a friendly in Nelspruit on Sunday (kick-off 3.30pm).

Club football around the world takes a breather, as it’s an international week, with the SA national football squad also in friendly action on Wednesday when they are in Mbabane to face Swaziland (kick-off 7pm).

The 30-man Bafana squad assembled in Joburg yesterday and is scheduled to travel to Swaziland today.

Nigeria remain a bogey side for South Africa, only having been beaten once in 11 outings – and that was in a friendly in 2004. In Fifa competitions, Bafana have never beaten the west African nation.

Even last year, when Bafana knocked the Nigerians out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), they had to be content with a 2-2 draw. For that match, Hlatshwayo was suspended, which is why he is looking forward to the clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

“As a footballer, you want to play every game of the national team,” said the Wits defender and captain.

“So having to miss that match due to suspension was not great – especially considering the fact that in the first leg I played very well and was denied a chance to score. But it is going to be a very difficult match. It would be great to win, and not just win but also to dominate them. This is a new era and we want to make our mark.”

Hlatshwayo was a stalwart at former club Ajax Cape Town, but signed for Wits last year to get a feel for football in Gauteng and also for an opportunity to try to win the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title.

“I am very happy that I have been given a chance again to represent my country, it’s always an honour,” he said. “The Nigeria clash is going to be interesting. You must remember we denied them a chance to defend their Afcon title, so they will be coming here with guns blazing and wanting to prove a point. But the good thing is that, lately, we enjoy playing against them,” added Hlatshwayo, who played in the first Afcon qualifying leg which ended 0-0 in Cape Town.

“But before we get to Mbombela for the Nigeria clash, we have to deal with Swaziland. So we should not underestimate the importance of that match and place all our focus on Nigeria.

“A loss could put us under pressure in the second match, so we have to take it one game at a time.” – Rodney Reiners