Nigeria coach Peseiro likens Bafana Bafana to Spain’s 2010 squad
Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro has likened the current Bafana Bafana team to the Spain squad that won the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The Super Eagles will take on the 1996 African champions – Bafana on Wednesday, 7 February. The two nations renew their rivalry in the semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Kickoff for the clash, which promises to be thrilling at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, is at 19:00 [SA time].
At the ongoing elite continental football tournament, Bafana’s team have many Mamelodi Sundowns players. The Tshwane giants have 10 players in the 23-man squad.
In the past two matches, coach Hugo Broos has not changed his starting line-up, fielding eight Sundowns players. These are namely Bafana captain Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Morena and Themba Zwane.
The 2010 Spanish national team wasn’t just sprinkled with FC Barcelona players. It was saturated with them as the squad had eight.
A staggering seven Barca stars graced the starting lineup in most games. They formed the core of a squad that would go on to conquer the first World Cup hosted in Africa.
JOSE PESEIRO ON BAFANA BAFANA SIMILARITIES WITH 2010 SPAIN TEAM
Peseiro says having many players from one team – Sundowns has helped Bafana to be better in terms of organisation.
“This team show good organisation. They don’t play in Europe, but they play in the same team. I remember when Spain played the same team, seven guys from Barcelona and three from Real Madrid,” said Peseiro.
“The national team [of Spain] showed the best organisational quality because the players played together at Barcelona for a few years.
“The national team [SA] has nine players from the same team; Mamelodi Sundowns. If a team plays with the same players, nine players at least in the first match and play together in the team for one to two years, of course they can improve their organisation.
“This team [South Africa] has proved great organisation, they play compact not always leaving space.”
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