Bafana Bafana prepare a new chapter on Uyo against Super Eagles

Broos was addressing a press conference at the match venue on Thursday night before their final training session for tonight’s game against the Super Eagles. In the last match Bafana played at that venue, they won 2-0 during a 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier under Stuart Baxter. Before then, they had played a 2-all draw under Shakes Mashaba. But Broos says that’s history now.

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''Games which are done are done, so tomorrow [tonight] is another game, it is a new game. We are confident because since AFCON everyone in South Africa is starting to believe in the team, because the results were so good. We get into the match against Nigeria with confidence and belief,'' said Broos.

Looking back at the 2017 match in Uyo, Bafana Bafana vice-captain Percy Tau, along with Tokelo Rantie, was one of the goal scorers. The only surviving members from that squad are captain and number one goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and midfield ace Themba Zwane. Tau, who is known for his forward-thinking approach, does not dwell on the past but is focused on the future.

''I'm looking forward to the game, of course it is going to be different. I don't think history will roll tomorrow [tonight], as South Africa we are looking forward to the game,'' said Tau.

As the two teams prepare for their second meeting in 2024, the pressure is on the hosts, Nigeria. They are yet to secure a win in these qualifiers, having been held to a draw by Lesotho at home and away in Rwanda. Despite the Super Eagles' victory over Bafana on penalties in the AFCON semifinals in Côte D’Ivoire earlier this year, head coach Broos maintains that the pressure remains with the hosts.

''We all know that Nigeria is a very good team, we played against them in AFCON - the result was different to what we used to. That means both teams are good, and I think the pressure is slightly on Nigeria because they can lose points at home,'' added Broos.

At the AFCON, Bafana proved that despite playing with a squad dominated by locally based players, they can still compete with the European-based talent of West and North African nations. Broos says tonight’s game won’t be an exception.

Tau, fresh from winning his second CAF Champions League title with Egyptian giants Al Ahly and third overall, has also spoken about the competitiveness of the African game after some exciting results in the World Cup qualifiers last night. The vastly experienced 30-year-old has also played down the issue of their traveling challenges going to Uyo.