Mandela Cup Challenge: Eagles face Bafana

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles are on the line to confront Bafana Bafana of South Africa for the annual Nelson Mandela challenge billed for November 12 or 13.Two matches are to be organised for South Africa next month, one against a top ranked opponent in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge and a second friendly just days later.South Africa Football Association (SAFA) is expected to name the opponent for its national team for the Mandela challenge as well as a top ranked country for an international friendly.According to SAFA officials, Bafana Bafana's opponent for the Mandela challenge would be known this week but it is being rumoured they will settle for Nigeria bearing in mind that the Super Eagles do still have that date free.Officials are just awaiting return of their contract offer and hope to be able, later in the week, to announce details of the visiting team and also the venue for the game.Last year's Mandela Challenge match was played against the United States at the World Cup Stadium in Cape Town.The games will serve as a preparation for the upcoming Africa Nations Cup finals, should Pitso Mosimane's team be able to secure their qualification for the 2012 finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon this Saturday.If South Africa fails to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup, the two matches could see a new coach in charge who will be able to use the two games to start building his side to begin the business of World Cup qualification, which starts in mid-2012.South Africa has also been confirmed as hosts for the 2013 Nations Cup finals and therefore automatically qualified for that tournament.
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