AFCON 2023: Nigeria Coach Jose Peseiro Compares South Africa to Spain’s 2010 World Cup Winning Squad

• Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro compared Bafana's squad to Spain
• Spain's 2010 squad won their first World Cup in South Africa
• Nigeria and South Africa meet in the 2023 AFCON semi-final

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro has compared South Africa to Spain's 2010 squad, which won the World Cup in South Africa.

Nigeria and Bafana Bafana face off in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with a place in the final at stake.

Spain lost their first game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup but went undefeated for the rest of the tournament on their way to their first ever World Cup crown.

Most of Spain's starting eleven was dominated by Barcelona players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, and Carles Puyol,

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Bafana Bafana's starting eleven, just like Spain, is dominated by players from the same team, in this case, Mamelodi Sundowns.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has started mainly Sundowns players, namely: Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Morena and Themba Zwane.

Peseiro compares Bafana to Spain

Speaking ahead of their encounter, Peseiro likened Bafana Bafana's squad to Spain's squad in 2010.

“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 via Far Post.

He said the reason Spain's team had chemistry was because they played together at Barcelona for years. He says it is the same for Bafana Bafana.

“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."

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McCarthy's message to South Africa

Sports Brief earlier reported on Manchester United coach, Benni McCarthy, sending a message to South Africa ahead of their game against Nigeria.

“You’ve made us very proud so far, now go and give it all you got and an AFCON final place awaits you!"

McCarthy is South Africa's record scorer. The former Porto striker won the Golden Boot at the 1998 AFCON.