Milutin Sredojevic gives insight to Niger
Micho gives insight to Niger
Posted: 2010-09-01 13:21
Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has warned Bafana Bafana not to underestimate the threat posed by Niger, describing them as a classic representative of West African football with a strong influence of the French football school.
Sredojevic is now head coach of Sudanese champions Al Hilal who downed Niger club AS FAN 4-2 in the Orange CAF Confederations Cup Group A fixture on Sunday.
AS FAN provide the bulk of players in the Niger national team that is coming down to meet Bafana Bafana this weekend at Mbombela Stadium in a Group G 2012 AFCON qualifier.
"Niger is the classic representative of West African football with strong influence of French Football School. The team (AS FAN) that we beat succumbed with a competitive approach and you cannot underestimate them. You need to take them seriously," says ‘Micho'.
"What I can advice Bafana is that Niger will come with a defensive approach and close gaps to frustrate the Bafana players. So Bafana will have to be mentally strong and patient as Niger will come with a philosophy of delaying tactics.
"It is important that Bafana pass the ball and have orientation and 80 percent of the passes should have the penetrative effect going forward. When Bafana lose the ball they must delay the counter that Niger will use.
"Trust me Niger will come with approach of trying to avoid conceding goals and so will try and limit the scoring chances for Bafana. So then Bafana have to be clinical when getting the chances and it is important that they score in the opening 15 minutes. It is no secret that Niger will also use a physical approach," says Sredojevic.
The 42 year-old mentor cautions that Mena as Niger are nicknamed will depend on Kamilou Daouda of Libyan club Al Ittihad and Alhassane Dante Issoufou of RUS Rabat in Morocco.
"Those are the two main strikers and they will definitely be a threat to Bafana. There is no doubt that these are the two dangerous players in the Niger team," he adds.
"I wish Bafana all the best of luck in the game because I have great respect for Pitso Mosimane who I believe is the best man for the job in taking South Africa forward," concludes Micho.
Sredojevic has led Al Hilal to definite qualification for the semi-finals of the Caf Confederations Cup after leading the club to two straight wins in Group A since joining in July.
: 2010-09-01 13:44
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