PE misses out on hosting special match

Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium missed out on hosting the Nelson Mandela Challenge match between Bafana Bafana and Paraguay after the game was awarded to Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Monday.

The match to be played on November 20 will come just days after Saturday’s 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the FNB Stadium in Soweto and will be used to celebrate the centenary year of the much-loved former statesman’s birth.

Port Elizabeth was believed to be favourite to host the encounter but insiders said the KwaZulu-Natal city came up with a better offer.

“We return home to our happy hunting ground for us‚” Safa president Danny Jordaan said on Monday.

The South Americans will certainly be no slouches and coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s charges are placed 31st in the Fifa rankings.

The two sides have met several times over the years. They drew 2-2 in the 2002 World Cup‚ and then Bafana won 3-0 in a friendly played in 2008.

They also drew 1-1 in another friendly in March 2010.

Meanwhile, Bafana coach Stuart Baxter said he held no fear over facing Nigeria as the countdown to the showdown against the West Africans at the FNB Stadium on Saturday continues.

The Briton said he expected the visitors to have vengeance on their minds when they arrive in Johannesburg this week after unexpectedly going down 2-0 to Bafana at home in Uyo in his maiden match at the helm as coach in June 2017.

“We do have Nigeria first‚ in the small matter of an African Nations Cup qualifier‚” Baxter said on Monday.

“Everybody knows the list of injuries that we have had.

“Everybody knows what I said in the first press conference [a week ago] that despite that [the injuries] I want to speak about the players we do have because even though we respect Nigeria, we do not fear them.

“I think we have enough talent still‚ enough desire, and if we can structure a game plan in the next three or four days‚ I think by the time we run out at the FNB Stadium we would be confident‚ we would not be complacent‚ because Nigeria have just come from a World Cup [in Russia],” Baxter said.

“They are undefeated since we beat them the last time [in the first qualifier in June 2017] and they will certainly want to wreak their revenge.

“So‚ we will be ready and I still believe that we have a very good chance of getting the result that we need.”

Baxter revealed that Bafana had injury scares to Hollandbased midfielder Thulani Serero and Supersport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Bafana have a tough schedule in the coming days.

After hosting the Nigerians in Johannesburg on Saturday‚ they will then travel to Durban to welcome Paraguay on Tuesday. –

The South Americans will certainly be no slouches and coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s charges are placed 31st in the Fifa rankings