Baxter look to turn back clock

Stuart Baxter hopes he repeats the Midas touch for Bafana Bafana against Nigeria today, as South Africa open up their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against the Super Eagles in Uyo.

Baxter (above) remains the only Bafana coach to have beaten Nigeria – in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Ellis Park – during his first spell at the helm in November 2004, though that was a friendly against a seriously weakened Super Eagles side.

Gernot Rohr’s Nigeria are likely to provide an entirely different proposition in this qualifier in a hostile atmosphere on their own turf, a side packed with the best talent this continental powerhouse has to offer, including stars like Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi.

“I remember it well (the Ellis Park game), that was the only experience I have had playing Nigeria,” said Baxter this week.

“I am sure they will say they have a better team today and this game is in Nigeria, not at Ellis Park. I know that, I hope I can (still) be a lucky charm for the boys’ sake and the country’s sake. But I am also a big believer that history doesn’t have to repeat itself, to concentrate on what you are doing now is the best way to effect the future.”

There is, however, another moment in the more recent past that can also give Bafana’s players hope heading into this game. Back in 2014, Shakes Mashaba’s South Africa played Nigeria in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo, and raced into a 2-0 lead, Tokelo Rantie supplying both goals. Nigeria came back to draw the match, but were still knocked out of the competition.

Rantie and many other players in that squad are still in the national team this week, and can surely take confidence from that performance.

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