Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, believes South Africa will be out to avenge their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final loss to Nigeria when both teams clash in Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Boldsports reports.
The Bafana Bafana lost 4-2 on penalties to the Eagles in the semi-finals of the last AFCON in February after full-time scores ended 1-1.
Ndidi who is one of the senior players in the squad ahead of the game, predicts an interesting game against Hugo Broos side who have not lost a game in their last two visits to Uyo.
The Bafana Bafana held the Eagles to a 2-2 draw in an AFCON qualifying game in 2014 before earning a shock 2-0 win in 2016.
“Looking back to what we did at the AFCON, they (South Africa) will be coming for revenge and for us as a team, we’re expecting that because we know it’s not going to be an easy game,” Ndidi told The NFF media.
“When they look back and remember that we knocked them out of the final, they will come for us. So it is going to be an interesting game.
“The way we performed at the AFCON has raised the standard and the expectations are now really high.”
The Leicester City midfielder also admitted that the late arrival of some players to camp has affected the team’s preparation for the game.
Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka and Calvin Bassey were all left stranded after the Nigerian Labour Congress embarked on a nationwide strike that stopped flight operations.
“To be honest, it has affected the preparation because normally, we were supposed to start training on Saturday and it’s been about three days that we’ve not been together,” Ndidi said.
“I think it has affected the team in some way. We’re supposed to know what we’re doing already and how to approach the game but we haven’t been able to do that.
“A few of them came in on Tuesday and the others are coming in tomorrow (Wednesday). It will be a great addition for us to prepare quickly.”
He however called for support from the fans ahead of the game.
“I think we just need the support of the fans, we also have to do our best because we know how important the two games are but first and foremost we have to focus on the South African game.”