CHIMAOBI UCHENDU
Bafana Bafana of South Africa’s coach Stuart Baxter has been talking tough. He says the Super Eagles should get prepared for a serious bashing in the November 17 AFCON 2019 qualifier in Victoria.
“We will clip Eagles’ wing,” Baxter said. “Bafana still have their destiny in their hands in Group F. We have to knock Nigeria over when they come. We beat them in Uyo and will have to repeat that.”
But in a swift reaction, Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who plays for Chippa United, of South Africa, says Baxter should shut up describing him as a noisy coach.
“Bafana Bafana coach has been ranting that he has the key that opens the Super Eagles but the man should keep quiet and wait till November 17,” Akpeyi said. He says there is no way the Eagles will escape defeat in Victoria but he has forgotten that the team he beat in Uyo last year will be different from the one that will come to South Africa in November.
“Well, I won’t say Nigeria will be going for revenge but this is an ample opportunity for us to redeem our image. Victory in Victoria will be fantastic but a draw is also a nice result as long as we remain top of the log.”
Akpeyi says he is not disturbed that Francis Uzoho of Elche FC, Spain, has seized the Eagles Number 1 jersey from other goalkeepers stressing that Uzoho will always get his support.
“There is no war over who keeps for the Super Eagles,” he said. “It is Uzoho’s time now and we have to wait for our time to come. We are one family and the mission is to play at the AFCON 2019 in Cameroon.”
Nigeria shoved aside South Africa from the Group F driver’s seat with a double victory over Libya in October while Bafana Bafana lost two points to Seychelles after beating them silly at home. A draw in Victoria keeps Nigeria top and the last home game against Seychelles will be the icing on the cake.
“Our legs are on the throttle and we won’t look back,” Akpeyi promised.
