MANDELA CHALLENGE: Super Eagles Of Nigeria Pride Themselve Against Bafana Bafana Of South Africa

When Super Eagles of Nigeria step out at Moses Manhida Stadium Durban on Wednesday August 14, 2013, the team wouldn’t be aiming to defend its title as African Champions, but it will be playing a friendly game with Bafan- Bafana of South Africa in honor of Africa’s foremost Nationalist, Nelson Mandela.

And speaking about the game, Edema Fuludu, Nigeria ex-international player said, “Bafana Bafana isn’t much of a match for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but this is a different ball game and Nigerians should feel so proud that Super Eagles is invited to grace the occasion.”

Most Players called up for the game are indeed so excited for such opportunity to meet with Mandela one on one and possibly shake hands with him.

One of such players is Victor Moses, the Chelsea star. “It’ll be a memorable game for me and something I will cherish for a longtime, to play in the Mandela challenge.” He said. “I hope I will have the opportunity to shake hands with Mandela. He is a great man and remains one of the living legends of our time.”

Another player that feels so excited is Victor Obinna Nsofor, who will be using the game to stage a return to Nigeria national team. Nsofor hasn’t played for Super Eagles since Stephen Keshi took over as Chief Coach of the team in 2011. And since then, the team has greatly transformed. It has won Africa cup of nations (AFCON), Played in the Confederations cup and top of their group table of FIFA World cup qualifiers.

Keshi has become a miracle worker of a sort, being the first indigeneous coach to have won AFCON for Nigeria; the first to have qualified the Home based team for CHAN and is on the verge of qualifying Nigeria for 2014 World Cup.

Keshi has erased every doubt that he can deliver success and take Super Eagles to greater Heights. He said: "Though, Mandela challenge is a friendly game, but it afford us the opportunity to continue in the building process ahead of the upcoming game against Malawi in Calabar. Some new players will be tried to see how they fit into the current structure of the team and what different flair any of them could possibly add to make the team better."