Except the Nigeria versus South Africa match is played in India where women marries men and not men marry women, there is no way the Bafana Bafana of South Africa can defeat the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt at 8pm on Wednesday in the quarter finals of the 32nd edition of the African Cup of Nations not even if the charismatic Nelson Mandela shall come from his grave to captain the South Africans as he did in 1996 when they won the trophy on home soil.
Fourteen times have both teams met, seven solid times the Super Eagles pecked and go (won) over Bafana Bafana, there were five draws and South Africa had two wins that they blow more than winning the world cup each time they talk about Nigeria versus South Africa. The team reminds one of the once darling team of Lagos in Nigeria, the Flaming Flamingos, the Stationery Stores who can peacock and harass opponents die as they say in Warri English.
There are two notable matches I will like to highlight. On the 17th November 2018 Nigeria played 1-1 draw with RSA (their abbreviation), Buhie Mkhwanazi scored an own goal in the 9’ and Lebo Mothibe equalized in 25’. There was this international friendly at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where RSA spanked a second string Nigerian team 2-0. Tokelo Rantic scored in 54’ and Percy Tau doubled it on 81’. That is the one South Africa did a refrain on: “we beat Nigeria at their back yard”.
See the score sheet. (1) 10/10 92 Nga 4 v RSA 0. (2) 16/01/1993 RSA 0 v Nga 0 (3) 10/02/2000 Nga 2 v RSA 0 (4) 17/10/2004 RSA 2 v Nga 1 (5) 31/10/2004 Nga 4 v RSA 0 (6) 01/06/2008 Nga 2 v RSA 0 (7) 06/09/2008 RSA 0 v NGA 1 (8) 14/08/2013 RSA 0 Nga 2 (9) 10/09/2014 RSA 0 NGA 2 (10) 19/11/2014 NGA 2 v RSA 2 (11) 29/03/2015 RSA 0 Nga 1 (12) 10/06/ 2017 Nga 2 v RSA 2 (13) 17/11/2018 Nga 1 v RSA 1.
In Egypt, Nigeria beat debutante Burundi by a lone goal which did not go down well with Nigerians. They could not beat the Syli Nationale of Guinea silly as expected, got another scrappy lone goal victory 1-0. They lost 0-2 to another debutante team Madagascar and they were renamed SUPER CHICKENS as they fumbled and wobbled into the round of 16 matches for a humiliating outing. Then came the fiery Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in an epic encounter. Cameroon scored two quick goals after Nigeria took the lead but the old Nigeria spirit took the boys, veteran Kanu Nwankwo who sat beside Samuel Etoo in the VIP stands shouted: “Nigeria no dey carry last” (another Warri English) which is a code to Nigerians anywhere in the world and the Super Eagles acted like the Slapping Senator, dazing Cameroon with two quick goals in the same manner they played them and both teams parted to fight another time. Nigeria had made second position in their group B with 6 points.
South Africa did more than fumble and wobbled for they crawled to be in the quarters. She lost to Ivory Coast 0-1. Manage to beat neighbors and fellow COSAFA, Namibia 1-0. They slumped to Morocco 0-1 before shocking Egypt 1-0. RSA was 3rd in their group with only 3 points and therefore got into the round of 16 matches per kindness of a lucky loser slot. There were celebrations in Jo’ Borg over the lucky berth. The irony of football is that Morocco that topped their group with 9 full points is out and Egypt that thought they were African Soccer lords because of Mo Salah is no more. Not in the Biblical way that says, “These Egyptians you have seen, you shall see no more” because Egypt will bounce back after their soccer earthquake.
The Super Eagles know what is at stake and it will be a great rumble in the desert as they meet at 8pm on Wednesday at the Cairo International Stadium. It is a match that may cause high blood pressure for fans of both countries.
Odion Ighalo who was the tournament qualifying stages highest scorer is still available for selection. He is one of the five highest scorers in Egypt and the lanky attacker may unilaterally send South Africa packing though he has said he is not after the Golden boot but the Gold medal. Rhor had all his 23 players in training and seems to have overcome the attitude problems from his young but talented players.

• ENIOLA OLATUNJI.