Mandela Challenge: Keshi Assures Good Football, Victory

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has promised that the Super Eagles will play ‘good football’ against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge.
The African champions take on Bafana Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium today, and the Super Eagles coach has assured that his players will give a good account of themselves in the game that is expected to help Nigeria prepare for next months’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Malawi.
“Nigerians should pray for the boys to be in good health; if they are in good health they will be able to give Nigerians what they like to see, which is good football,” Keshi told newsmen
He went on to assure that the Super Eagles will approach the game with all seriousness, even though the match is just a friendly encounter.
“Every match is important for us, especially against an important opponent like Bafana, so we won’t travel six hours from Nigeria to South Africa not to be committed to victory.”
However, a former Super Eagles Coach, Paul Hamilton,  has  urged Nigerians based in South Africa to maximally support the Super Eagles against the Bafana Bafana
The competition is in honour of the first South African indigenous President, Nelson Mandela,.
Hamilton said that the team needs all the support and encouragement from South Africa-based Nigerians to be victorious at the one day event.
“I want to task Nigerians based in South Africa to come out massively and support the Eagles.
“Even though there isn’t much at stake, it will still be important to have Nigerians at the stadium, so that the team can play better with their support,’’ he said.
He noted that the match would be significant for both countries as it would be in honour of a man (Mandela), who had contributed immensely to the development of Africa.
“The game will be a very exciting one for both countries because they are playing in honour of a very great man.
“Mandela is a very great man of Africa and nothing is too big to be done on his behalf, because he fought not just for his country, but the African race in general.
“He is one man that deserves anything good and organising a football match against current African champions is a worthwhile event,’’ Hamilton said.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ midfielder, Mikel Obi has been ruled out of the South Africa international friendly, the Nelson Mandela Challenge — scheduled for Aug. 14, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.
The team’s Media Officer, Ben Alaiya told newsmen yesterday in Durban that his club, Chelsea FC of London has informed the National team handlers.
According to them, the player (Obi) was having stomach upset and would not be able to honour the match.
Alaiya said in spite of this, “the mood in the camp is high as all 19 players, including Victor Moses are already there and happy to have been called up for the match.
“There are no injury worries. They are ready to play to make the country proud. I want all Nigerians to expect the best from the team on Wednesday’’.
Our correspondent reports, that the international friendly, is an annual Nelson Mandela Challenge to celebrate the birthday of the global icon and to also raise funds for his charity project.
The match will hold at 8.15pm (7.15pm Nigeria time).
The Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund told newsmen that he was happy at the high spirit among his players.
“I am happy at the response of players in camp toward preparation for our match against Nigeria. Apart from the fact that the match is friendly, it is to honour Mandela.
“We also want to use it to improve on our FIFA ranking and to prepare for our last World Cup qualifying match against Botswana,’’ Igesund said.
Our correspondent  reports that in spite of the fact that six Orlando Pirates players pulled out of the match because of an Africa Champions League engagement, no fewer than 22 others were still available for the match.
The coach, however, expressed disappointment at the absence of defender, Anele Ngcongca for the match.
Ngcongca was supposed to join the Bafana camp early on Tuesday, but his Belgian club said he was injured.
Igesund said Ngcongca’s team Racing Genk, refused to release the player after initially agreeing to allow him to honour the national call.
“It is unfortunate that Ngcongca is making a u-turn. This is disrespectful.
“The team initially agreed to release the player, but on Monday night ‘fabricated’ a story that that he was injured. I have reported the matter to SAFA, so as to take up  the report to the World soccer governing body – FIFA’’.
He, then, boasted that in spite of this, “we are capable of defeating the Eagles, even though I concede the fact that Nigeria has quality players. Bafana Bafana equally have quality players too’’.