Nigeria's Super Eagles are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, but there's the little matter of getting past an impressive South African team who haven't lost a game yet in the series and have been quite impressive under the tutelage of new coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba.
The Eagles haven't exactly been at their best in the final phase of qualifying. Two wins, two losses and a draw have seen the Africa champions barely crawl their way back into contention with that vital away win in Pointe Noire.
Coach Stephen Keshi needs his wards to be at their best to get past South Africa and ensure the calculators do not come out as Congo can also play spoilers if they beat Sudan away in Khartoum.
History favors Nigeria in Wednesday's game. The Eagles have beaten South Africa in Nigeria on all the occasions the two teams have met, the most recent being the 2-0 win in June 2008.Nigerians will hope the trend continues.
Match background
South Africa come into the game on a high having qualified already with a game to spare. The Bafana Bafana have an unassailable 11 points, four more than Nigeria, who can only hope for a second place finish at best.
Shakes Mashaba has been able to transform the team he inherited from Gordon Igesund into a cohesive unit which has picked some some valuable points on the road while playing some exquisite football.
Nigeria will have to be at her best to prevent South Africa from a 100 percent away win record. The Bafana Bafana have scored five goals on the road and haven't conceded any . In fact, the only goal they let in was Ibrahim Salah's goal in Durban last weekend.
The Eagles have been among the goals in the series, but it's at the back where the problem lies. Four goals conceded at home in two matches doesn't best describe how a reigning African champion should spar.
Coach Stephen Keshi knows his defence has to stand firm like the Rock of Gibraltar against a resurgent South African side who will be playing without any pressure whatsoever having picked up the ticket. That is potentially dangerous
Team news
Nigeria will be without midfielder Hope Akpan who dislocated his shoulder in the away game against Congo. Joseph Nathaniel of Sharks FC has been called up as his replacement
Defender Godfrey Oboabona will miss the clash due to accumulated yellow cards as Azubuike Egwuekwe looks to keep his place in central defence in the absence of the Caykur Rizespor man.
Crocked Kenneth Omerou, who missed the game against Congo trained with the rest of the squad o their return to Nigeria and will have a late fitness test.
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