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South African coach Stuart Baxter in a press meet on the eve of their CAN quarter-final match against Nigeria on Wednesday. France Media Agency
South African coach Stuart Baxter denied his Nigerian counterpart Gernot Rohr's claim that Bafana Bafana would be the favorite of the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
With Baxter's team only playing in the group stage, Baxter's team shocked Egypt, host of the tournament, in the final game of the last 16 minutes. However, the coach of South Africa has spared his expectations against a team from Nigeria who eliminated Cameroon champion title in the last round.
"Nigeria is absolutely one of the best teams on the continent and has been for a long time. A game does not make us favorites. I do not think he (Rohr) is cheating on anyone, "Baxter said Tuesday.
"When we find the right balance between good organization, quick play, use of our inherent natural technique, we can give anyone a match.
"We will respect Nigeria but we will not fear them. We will have to produce a very good performance from South Africa to beat them. Both teams are well-known opponents as South Africa and Nigeria have been paired in qualifying. Baxter secured a 2-0 away win at Uyo early in the campaign before a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
Egypt's 1-0 defeat to South Africa took place in front of a crowd of 75,000 spectators at the Cairo International Stadium, and although a much smaller turnout is expected on Wednesday. in the same place, Baxter does not believe it will affect his players. .
"I dare to say that the crowds in South Africa for some international matches are also very rare," he said. "The players were inspired by the audience the other night, but I hope they do not need that kind of audience to find that kind of inspiration.
Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo said Tuesday that the team's success was far more important than the personal praise, his goals allowing Nigeria to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Ighalo finished top scorer in qualifying for this year's tournament. He is tied with Senegalese star Sadio Mane and Algerian Adam Ounas at the top of the standings with three goals so far in the final.
"If I do not win the gold shoe but win the trophy, I would be very happy because we are here to do it," said Ighalo before Wednesday's clash against South Africa.
"I did not say I'm not interested, but we're here as a team and want to try to win it as a team. I am an attacker, I want to score goals, but if they do not come and we win the match, I will be more satisfied. "
After scoring the winner of the opening match of the Nations Cup of Nigeria against Burundi, Ighalo has imposed against Cameroon, defending champion, in the last 16 games.
He scored twice and placed Alex Iwobi for the decisive goal in Alexandria, while Nigeria pulled back 2-1 to win a thrilling 3-3 win. Ighalo used his feet to strike again. critics.
"I do not really pay attention to critics. I am a professional and people are required to criticize me. I think everyone here has been criticized in one way or another, but you do not let him touch you, "Ighalo said.
Senegal boss Aliou Cisse also said that the surprise exit of the host countries, Egypt and Morocco, and the elimination of Cameroon, the defending champion, have fueled the hopes of first title of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cisse was captain of the team that reached the 2002 final, losing to Cameroon on penalties, and is now coaching a solid team consisting of Liverpool star Sadio Mane and defender Napoli. Kalidou Koulibaly.
"It's true that Cameroon is not here, the big favorites are no longer here today. Of course, that gives us ideas and gives us even more confidence to say yes, maybe this year will be this one, "said Cissé on Tuesday.
However, Cisse warned that Senegal would pay the price to look further than Wednesday's quarter-final with Benin in Cairo.
France Media Agency
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