BAFANA Bafana coach Stuart Baxter insists that the unavailability of Nigeria’s top goal-scorer Odion Ighalo doesn’t guarantee his side victory.
Ighalo, who plies his trade for Chinese club Changchun Yatai, will miss the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the two countries at FNB Stadium tomorrow (3pm) due to injury.
The 29-year-old is the Super Eagles’ top scorer in Afcon’s Group E with six goals.
A win for either side will guarantee them a place in the Afcon tournament in Cameroon next year. Bafana are a point behind leaders Nigeria, who have eight points from four matches.
Said Baxter: “They took out Ighalo and put in (Kelechi) Iheanacho. Ighalo is the top scorer, so obviously they will feel that’s a bit of a blow. But in terms of reality I am sure Iheanacho wants to impress. Like I said before, we need to concentrate on what we do. What they do will depend on how badly we play.”
Baxter revealed he already has an idea what his starting lineup will look like. “I have an idea, maybe there are two players I am not 100% sure of at the moment. It’s the first time some of them have played together. We have done the tactical stuff and some of them are still trying to find each other.”
The Scottish mentor stressed that it’s crucial to qualify now rather than leaving it too late.
Bafana will wrap up their group fixtures with a date with Libya away in March next year.
Said Baxter: “Of course we don’t (want to leave it late). But if it has to go that way then it will go that route.
“There will be no sorrow but going into this game we want to try to bring it to a close now. It doesn’t mean that we can’t go to Libya and win, we have beaten better teams than Libya away.”
Although ticket sales have been slow, with 9 828 sold by yesterday morning, Baxter hopes the Nigeria team will be intimidated by Mzansi’s fans.
Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has said they are coming here for revenge and to qualify for Afcon.
“Our mission in Joburg is simple: Qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. We are not thinking of anything else. We want the ticket in our pocket before the final match day,” he said.
While Lebogang Mothiba and Thulani Serero are key for Baxter, Ahmed Musa will add firepower for the Nigerians.
The crunch qualifier will not be televised live on SABC but will be broadcast live on SuperSport 4 tomorrow from 2pm.
