The new coach of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, Stuart Baxter, says his team will give Nigeria’s Super Eagles a tough time when the two teams clash on June 10.
“I hope we will be very competitive with Nigeria. We will give them a game,” Baxter said after his unveiling in Johannesburg on Monday.
He was appointed earlier this month as a replacement for Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba who was sacked in December last year.
The Englishman will start his second spell at Bafana Bafana with a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Eagles in Uyo in June.
Baxter, who signed a five-year contract, said he would name his technical team and squad for the Nigeria game on May 25.
“We need to be competitive and players will do it the South African way. That should reflect the play in the country,” he said .
Baxter had previously coached the 1996 African champions from May 2004 to November 2005.
He will however continue to coach Premier Soccer League side SuperSport United until the end of the season.
Speaking on his team, the 63-year-old said there was no shortage of talent in South Africa.
“I believe the nation has enough players to succeed and I also believe in my abilities. I’m very optimistic,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to this latest challenge. If I wasn’t ready, I would not have accepted the challenge.
“I’m very optimistic if we can pull together, but don’t be too negative because it will affect everyone. I’m asking for buy-in from every South African.
“I will be going abroad to watch players who ply their trade there. I will watch every South African. They will get a fair chance.
“I want Bafana Bafana to unite South Africa in the long term. If we do that we will become a powerhouse of football,” said Baxter.