Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has praised midfielder Thulani Serero's touches in their training sessions ahead of the 2019 Caf African Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Nigeria this Saturday.
The South Africans are hoping to secure their second win over the Super Eagles and the English coach stated that the Vitesse midfielder is comfortable on the ball.
“I have an idea of what I need to do, although there might be one or two changes, and I also need to fine-tune a few areas ahead of Saturday’s game. But I must say that I was very happy with the training,” Baxter told the media.
The former Ajax Amsterdam midfielder joined Bafana camp carrying a slight injury and according to the coach's sentiments, he could be in the starting line-up against Gernot Rohr's side.
“As I said earlier, we have not yet picked the final team for Saturday’s game, but Thulani is doing well, and as the match progressed during the practice game, he became very comfortable on the ball,” he explained.
Touching on his game plan against the West Africans, the former SuperSport United coach said their aim is to stifle the 2013 African champions and also wished for a big crowd at the FNB Stadium.
“We need to stifle them and not give them any momentum. They (players) need to relax at the right time and be aggressive at the right time,” he continued.
“We definitely need a good crowd like what greeted us in Uyo in the reverse fixture; the truth is, a small crowd won’t be an advantage to us,” concluded the manager.
Moreover, the South Africans are hoping to secure the full three points and seal a spot to the continental showpiece in Cameroon.
Baxter's side sit second in Group E with eight points whilst the visitors top the standings with nine points from four matches apiece.
On the other hand, the 1996 African champions will meet Paraguay in their Nelson Mandela Challenge encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium next Tuesday.
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