South Africa’s national team coach, Stuart Baxter has provided an inkling into the game plan he will use against the Super Eagles in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, saying it will be basically about stifling the opponents and prevent them from holding possession.
Although he stopped short of stating details of his tactical and technical plots for the match, footballlive.ng gathered further that Baxter will employ man-markers on the Eagles’ biggest stars.
The British soccer tactician says he knows exactly what he has to do to stop the rampaging Nigerians, and is now hoping that his players would be able to carry out his instructions to the letter.
Baxter said he plans to shackle the Eagles and stop their movements in the decisive tie at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.
Heading into the game, South Africa trail Nigeria by a point in the Group E qualification race and need full points to pull through.
On the other hand, the Eagles need only a draw to put them in a good stead to qualify for the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon.
However, the Eagles are determined to avenge the 2-0 loss to Bafana Bafana in the opening game of the qualification ties, and Baxter says his lads must stop the Nigerians from achieving that ambition.
The Bafana Bafana gaffer also noted the role South African fans would play in the game, as their presence in the stands would boost the morale of his players.
He also expressed hope that current hot weather in the city will not prevent the fans from trooping out in their thousands the support the home team, just as he also hopes it will not affect players on the pitch.
Baxter stressed: “I have an idea of what I need to do although there might be one or two changes and I also need to fine-tune a few areas ahead of Saturday’s game.
“We need to stifle them and not give them any momentum. They need to relax at the right time and be aggressive at the right time.
“I don’t believe the ongoing heat wave will be an issue to either side, after all, most of Nigeria’s players play overseas.
“We definitely need a good crowd like what greeted us in Uyo in the reverse fixture; truth is a small crowd won’t be an advantage to us.”
