Bafana Bafana Coach, Stuart Baxter will announce his squad to face Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on May 25.
Baxter was named the Bafana Boss by the South Africa Football Association this month after a long search for a permanent replacement for sacked Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba.
On Monday,the former African champions tweeted that: “Stuart Baxter will name his squad for Nigeria on 25 May. The match will be played in Uyo on 10 June”
Stuart Baxter will name his squad for Nigeria on 25 May. The match will be played in Uyo on 10 June
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 15, 2017
Speaking at his maiden presser since his reappointment as Bafana Coach, Baxter said (excerpts):
“I gained respect with my results. We should try to unite the whole country through this beautiful.
I came back because I see greater things SAFA is trying to build for this great country,” Stuart Baxter
The 63-year-old said about the Nigeria match,”I hope we will be very competitive with Nigeria. We will give them a game.”
I hope we will be very competitive with Nigeria. We will give them a game – Stuart Baxter
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 15, 2017
“I’m really looking forward to this latest challenge. If I wasn’t ready, I would not have accepted the challenge.
I haven’t finalised my Technical Team but am working on it.”
“I’m very optimistic. If we can pull together but don’t be too negative because it will affect everyone. I’m asking for buy in of every SA.”
“I believe the nation has enough players to succeed and I believe in my abilities,”
“We need to be competitive and players will do it the SA way. The play should reflect the play in the country,” Stuart Baxter.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr is expected to name his squad after the exhibition match against Corsica on 24 May.
An initial list of 25 players have been called up for the match, but the NFF Media chief, Ademola Olajire disclosed that the second set of invitees will camp in France ahead of the Bafana Clash.
Nigeria will host South Africa in Uyo on June 10 in the pairs first group E match.
