9th January, 2014
South African fans and journalists seem to have given up on any chance of seeing their team, Bafana Bafana lift the African Nations Championship, CHAN, trophy, following their endorsement of the Super Eagles to emerge champions at the competition.
The Nigerian players were hailed as ‘Champions’ on arrival at the Oliver Thambo International Airport on Wednesday, with football fans and even workers at the airport, verbally handing Nigeria the trophy:
“The Super Eagles have come again to win, I wish you well,” declared Tarto Thandile.
The Deputy Sports Editor of the City Press, Timothy Molobi, who is based in Johannesburg, added that Nigeria seem to have a psychological edge but noted that because many of the players who won the Nations Cup with the Eagles will not be coming for CHAN, it will be difficult for Nigeria.
“We should at least think Bafana Bafana can win this time with almost the full squad ready for the hosts,” he said.
Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, Sunday Yusuf, also charged the Eagles to continue the winning history of Nigeria teams in the country.
Nigeria and South Africa will both play in Group A. They are staying at Garden Court DevWaal hotel in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed that CHAN matches this year will be given full “A” status. There has been a debate over whether tournaments that have a restriction on team selection, such as CHAN —which allows only home-based players— should be considered full internationals.