Baxter banks on Ngoma emulating Rantie

Aubrey Ngoma’s stellar season could have a fairy tale ending tomorrow, if he can help Bafana Bafana beat Nigeria in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.

Bafana began preparations in Uyo yesterday, with Ngoma in the senior national team squad for the first time. A call-up from Stuart Baxter was just reward for a brilliant season at Cape Town City, with the 27-year-old winger in scintillating form as City won the Telkom Knockout and finished third in the Absa Premiership.

“I will be ready if I do get the chance (to play) and I am hoping to take it with both hands,” said Ngoma on the chance of facing the Super Eagles.

Bafana will be underdogs in Uyo – this is the first game of Stuart Baxter’s second spell in charge, and Bafana have never beaten their star-studded opponents in a competitive fixture.

“Obviously looking at Nigeria, they have been a hoodoo team for us,” added Ngoma (right).

“We have been preparing and watching clips on how they play … we have good experience and I think we are in good shape to give them a run for their money.”

Baxter, meanwhile, says it will be important to silence the home crowd early on, and also believes his side can use the pressure the Super Eagles will be under.

“We have to shut the crowd up. If we let the crowd get excited and they enjoy the game it is a big plus for them,” said the Bafana coach.

“If we can turn that around and frustrate them, if we are better than they think, then the crowd can be a bit of a negative for them. This being the first game (of the Afcon qualifiers), I don’t think they would choose to play us in their first game at home. If they lose they will be under enormous pressure from the beginning of the qualifiers and we have to use that. The boys have to feel that we can spoil the party a bit.”

Baxter believes that if Bafana can see off Nigeria’s pressing game, then they can use their own movement and speed to damage the Super Eagles. This was certainly the case in 2014, when Tokelo Rantie’s pace tore Nigeria to shreds at times in a 2-2 draw.

“What we know is that they want to play at a high tempo and as soon as they lose the ball, they press. We have to be good at getting out of that first press, then we have a chance to use our speed and mobility and hit them,” said Baxter.