Gordon Igesund and, to a lesser extent, Stephen Keshi have spent more time dealing with player withdrawals than actually training their respective South African and Nigerian sides for tonight’s Nelson Mandela Challenge here at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Igesund would have had to use both hands to count the total number of pull-outs from his squad when right-back Anele Ngcongca failed to arrive from Belgium yesterday, while Keshi had to rule out pivotal midfielder John Obi Mikel due to a request from Chelsea.
African champions Nigeria also had Turkey-based striker Emmanuel Emenike and young Blues centre-back Kenneth Omeruo withdrawn from the Super Eagles travel party.
But despite these setbacks, caused mainly by the endless club-versus-country war, both Igesund and Keshi, as well as their players, promised an engaging duel this evening.
Both teams are building towards their final round-robin matches in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign on September 7, while looking to honour the legacy of a frail Mandela at the same time.
“It is not a great situation to be in, but we have to get on with the players who are here,” said Igesund, after suggesting Ngcongca’s club, Racing Genk, had fabricated a story about the defender having picked up an injury so they could hold on to him for their own match preparations this week.
“I wasn’t that disappointed about the six Pirates withdrawals because they have an important game coming up in the Champions League this weekend, but this shows a lack of respect for us from Anele’s club.”
Igesund is to use Thulani Hlatswayo of Ajax Cape Town or Tshepo Gumede from Platinum Stars at right-back in the absence of Ngcongca, while Eric Mathoho and Thabo Nthethe line up in central defence against the fearsome African champions.
Playing the ball quickly through the physically tougher Nigerians appears crucial for Bafana, and midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala said he and his teammates would not dwell on the controversial player withdrawals, but try to make the nation proud with the relevant speedy football.
“It is a tough task for us, with Nigeria being the top team in Africa, but we do have good players, too,” said Tshabalala. “We will do our best and we ask the supporters to get behind the team.
“If we beat Nigeria, it will help improve our world ranking.”
Added midfield anchorman Dean Furman: “The plan is to be positive. We know they are the African champions, but we are looking to be competitive.
“It is important for us to get our flair players on the ball and for them to create something for the team.”
Like Igesund, Nigeria coach Keshi wants his team to give a positive performance ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next month.
He said: “We have to use our best possible team because Bafana are a strong team. We couldn’t come here with a mediocre side.
“The expectation for this match, first of all, is to reunite with the players after a break of two months since the Confederations Cup in Brazil.
“Getting them to play the system you want is key, because they play under different systems at their clubs. The scoreline is not as important as how we play.”
Keshi uses Sunday Mba as a common feature in midfield, while Russia-based Ahmed Musa and Ukraine-based Brown Ideye are popular men up front.
He also has Shola Ameobi of Newcastle United and Victor Moses of Chelsea back in the fold, which gives him enough options to put pressure on the Bafana backline. - Cape Argus