Eagles can’t match Bafana’s pace, skill ―Mohlal

Former South Africa defender, Jethro Mohlala, has said that Nigeria can’t match the current Bafana Bafana squad in terms of pace and skill as both countries clash tomorrow in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles last weekend sent defending champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon packing with a 3-2 defeat, while Bafana Bafana eliminated hosts the Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0 to advance.

“I think that’s going to be a good game against Nigeria and the boys will need to focus. It’s better we are not facing another Southern African side.

“I think the North and West Africans are struggling to play against us. They cannot match our pace and skill. I would like to see a continuity from the boys and ensure we upset Nigeria.

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“I think we also need to credit the coach for analyzing the game very well. I believe that it’s not about playing badly in the group stages, but we failed to clear the lines at the back and lapses of concentration let us down – our mistakes killed us,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns player told Goal.

He also warned South Africans not to put Bafana Bafana under pressure following their victory over Egypt.

“Look, I think many South Africans never gave the boys a chance based on how the results in the group stages came out. I believe that also helped the players to relax because they were underdogs going into that clash.

“They knew their qualities and they just had to play their normal game and show their quality and they did everything well.

“They are aware that the fans back home were not happy and they had to step up. They silenced everyone and that will restore their confidence. That is a massive victory for the team without a doubt. I never gave them a chance they proved us wrong, that was pure class and I just think they can beat whoever they face going forward,” he said.