Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi, is expecting a tough match against Bafana Bafana when the two teams meet in the final Chan Group A match at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
The Super Eagles need a win against Bafana to guarantee their place in the knockout stage of the tournament, while South Africa need just a draw to qualify for the next round.
“If you look at some of their players like (Siphiwe) Tshabalala and goalkeeper (Itumeleng) Khune, they have lots of experience and this will matter a lot going into the decisive group game on Sunday,” Keshi told Sportsday Online.
“It’s very difficult to handle these youngsters (in my team), but they are an intelligent group who have mastered things quickly. I hope we get better and better because with football I cannot say we shall beat South Africa,” he added.
South Africa lead Group A with four points ahead of Mali, who also have four points but have inferior goal difference. Nigeria are third on three points and Mozambique who are already eliminated are bottom with no point in two games.