S’Africa’s victory over Nigeria will be talked about for years, says SAFA president

Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association, has said his country’s defeat of Nigeria is one for the history books.

Bafana Bafana defeated the Super Eagles for the first time in a competitive match at the Uyo Stadium, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday.

The defeat was coach Gernot Rohr’s first loss since taking up the Eagles job.

Reacting to the 2-0 scoreline, Jordaan was full of praise for Bafana Bafana’s coach Stuart Baxter and his team for their away win.

“It was indeed a great victory that we will talk about for many years to come but it is behind us now and the focus is on the next match,” Jordaan told SAFA.net.

“I must take this opportunity to congratulate Stuart and the team for the emphatic victory over our nemesis, this was a truly incredible result that will never be forgotten.

“What was pleasing was not just the scoreline but the manner in which the result was achieved – the boys displayed a strong mentality, strong character, fighting spirit and were never overawed by the occasion, which shows we are doing something right as a nation.

“This was surely the best way to start in the AFCON qualifiers because many have always said Nigeria was the favourite and South Africa must fight for second place, now we have dismissed that notion.

“We will take a break on the AFCON qualifiers and soon start with the World Cup qualifiers, so this kind of display needs to continue as we have always said Bafana Bafana must be present in all the major tournaments.

“This was a great start but we must not get carried away as there is more that still needs to be done in the qualifiers.”

Nigeria is in the same 2019 AFCON qualification group as Libya, South Africa, and Seychelles.

Libya tops the group based on goal difference, having defeated Seychelles 5-1.