Bafana coach Baxter ropes in Manchester United scout to spy on Nigeria in France

Stuart Baxter has done his research on Nigeria while juggling two jobs‚ and knows he will need it with the Super Eagles having camped in France for three weeks ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Bafana Bafana.

The scales are always tipped against Bafana when meeting Nigeria‚ who South Africa have never won against in a competitive match and only beaten them once in 12 games overall‚ 2-1 in the friendly Mandela Challenge at Ellis Park in 2004 in Baxter’s previous stint.

Baxter’s first assignment on his return to the national team is a substantial one against the Super Eagles in Uyo on June 10‚ made more imposing by the Nigerians having assembled most of their squad in France‚ where they play friendlies against Corsica and Togo.

• Safa leaves nothing to chance ahead of tricky away qualifier against NigeriaWith Nigeria known as one of the tougher away football venues in Africa‚ South African Football Association (Safa) officials have left nothing to chance for next month’s qualifier‚ sending Bafana Bafana team manager Barney Kujane to scout facilities on May 15. 

Safa are still scrambling to organise a now unlikely friendly for Bafana. Baxter knows he has his work cut out earning a result in Uyo. The coach has worked overtime juggling his duties finishing the season at SuperSport with researching Nigeria.

“I’ve had probably three days away from SuperSport where I have put my Bafana hat on and I’ve gained some intelligence on Nigeria‚” the coach said announcing a balanced‚ sensible squad on Thursday.

• 'So is it a disaster if we lose (to Nigeria)? No. But we want to win,' says BaxterBafana Bafana will go to Nigeria with a positive mindset and trying to get a result‚ Stuart Baxter said of his imposing first assignment against South Africa's nemesis team the Super Eagles. 

“I’ve got the Manchester United scout who’s helping us in Paris. Nigeria are playing Corsica at the Ajaccio Stadium in Corsica‚ and against Togo in Paris – and they’re being watched there.

“I’ll get reports on that. I’ve got video footage‚ I’ve got reports‚ I’ve got the coach’s (Gernot Rohr) background. So by the time we come to the event we’ll be quite well prepared.”

Baxter insisted on finishing the season at SuperSport – who host Platinum Stars in their final league game on Saturday‚ and contest the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates on June 24 – as a prerequisite to taking the Bafana job.

• Baxter reveals he called Serero to explain reasons behind his omission from Bafana squadStuart Baxter contacted Thulani Serero to inform the Ajax Amsterdam player that his lack of game time‚ and uncertainty over his next club destination‚ was the reason the midfield star was left out of the coach's first Bafana Bafana squad. 

It has resulted in a frenetic few weeks for the coach.

“Because I’m a professional I don’t want to sell anybody short‚” Baxter said.

“So I’ve put in those extra hours with SuperSport and with Safa‚ and it’s meant that over the last week or so I’ve had virtually no time‚ outside of preparing for this one‚ debriefing that one‚ gain intelligence on that one‚ call this coach‚ call this player‚ prepare this presentation.

“The other day I was at Safa House from about 9am to 3pm‚ then had to jump in the car and drive back and watch SuperSport play (in a game against Wits‚ where Baxter was on sick leave).

• Stuart Baxter announces Bafana squad to face Nigeria in 2019 Afcon qualifierNew Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter finally showed his hand when he announced his first squad as national team boss. 

“While I watched SuperSport play I was on the phone for 90 minutes talking to (SuperSport assistants) Paul Matthews and Kaitano Tembo‚ working out substitutions and helping out‚ and being a nervous wreck.

“After that I drove to meet a video analyst to give me some intelligence on Nigeria. Then I went back at about 9pm to ask my wife if she fancied a bit of food.

• Baxter's salary is 'no one's business'New Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter is either earning the same or less than his predecessor, Shakes Mashaba, SA Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan has intimated. 

“That’s been one day and every day’s been like that‚ chopping from one to the other. And that’s demanding and challenging – it really is. But interesting.”

South Africa will be encouraged by their previous trip to Uyo‚ where they held a 2-0 lead only to concede late goals for a 2-2 draw‚ a result that saw Bafana qualify for the 2015 Afcon at the defending champions’ expense.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport