South Africa Coach Baxter Reveals Gernot Rohr Warned Him Before Bafana Bafana Faced Seychelles

Published: October 18, 2018

South Africa National Team coach, Stuart Baxter, has stated that he received advice from Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr before Bafana Bafana tackled Seychelles in an Africa Cup of Nations tie on Tuesday, October 16.

Nigeria's next opponents in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations threw away their chance of topping the group on match day four following their disappointing goalless draw with Seychelles.

Although the Super Eagles thrashed The Pirates 3-0 in September, Baxter has made excuses for his shortcomings, saying teams will find it difficult to beat the Islanders in Victoria, adding that Rohr had warned him about the bad playing surface and it was difficult for the Super Eagles players when they played there.

''Immediately after the game, I was frustrated and angry with the way the game panned out,'' Baxter told reporters.

''I met the Nigerian coach in London and he told me that the pitch was the worst he’d ever played on in a competitive game and I agree with him and that’s not an excuse because we still did enough to win the game.''

South Africa will do battle with group leaders Nigeria at FNB Stadium on November 17 and the winner of this game is sure to qualify for next year's AFCON in Cameroon.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel