Fighting for Pride and Progress: Niger and South Africa set for Group C showdown

Under the lights of Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium, the stakes couldn’t be higher. On Friday at 8pm local time in Uganda (7pm SAST), Niger and South Africa will collide in a Group C clash that will shape their CHAN 2024 destinies.

One side is fighting for survival, the other for security - yet both know this is the kind of match that can rewrite a tournament story in 90 minutes.

For Harouna Doulla and his Niger side, the road so far has been littered with frustration. Two games, no points and a desperate need to find the breakthrough that can keep their campaign alive. Yet the coach remains a believer.

“Tomorrow’s game against South Africa will undoubtedly be a tough one for both teams. We are still looking for our first point in this competition but we believe anything can happen. It will be difficult but not impossible,” Doulla insisted on Thursday.

This is not the Niger of old - it’s a team undergoing a generational shift, with fresh-faced talents like 17-year-old Abdeljelil Ahamat at the heart of the rebuild.

Doulla admits the renewal has brought growing pains but he also sees the learning process as a springboard for tomorrow’s performance.

“Our immediate goal is to secure our first point and we want to achieve that in this game,” he added.

With four points from their opening two matches, Molefi Ntseki’s South Africa are a step away from the quarter-finals.

The challenge now is to avoid last-minute complications by sealing qualification early.

“When it comes to tournament football, it is crucial to adjust strategies according to the opponent. Even though Niger hasn’t scored any points yet, we cannot underestimate them. They are a well-structured and dangerous team at certain moments in the game,” Ntseki warned.

The equation for Bafana Bafana is simple: win and the quarter-final ticket is booked. Even a draw leaves them in a strong position but Ntseki is clear - avoiding reliance on other results is the priority.

“The two remaining matches are decisive. If we don’t win, we will depend on calculations and combinations and that is something we want to avoid. It is up to us to do our job and secure qualification.”

For South Africa’s captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele, the match is more than just points - it’s about representing the badge with pride.

“This game against Niger is very important for us as a team. We know we will face a strong and well-organized opponent but we are mentally and physically prepared. Playing in a stadium that honors Nelson Mandela is a privilege and it gives us the strength to defend our country’s colors with determination.”

On the Nigerien side, young Ahamat is relishing his baptism of fire in a continental tournament.

“Morale is high. Two losses don’t mean everything is over. We will fight to earn our first points. Investing in young players like me is crucial for the future and I hope to continue contributing to the growth of Nigerien football.”

In three previous CHAN encounters, South Africa hold the upper hand with two wins and a draw.

Yet Niger will remember 2011 - the year they held Bafana Bafana to a goalless draw, a result that eliminated the South Africans and sent Niger through.

That bit of history is a reminder that form alone doesn’t decide football matches.

For Doulla, the key is cutting out individual errors, while Ntseki’s focus is on exploiting moments when Niger’s organisation wavers.

Friday’s clash isn’t just another fixture - it’s a chapter-defining battle for both sides.

For Niger, it’s a fight for pride, points and a shot at keeping their CHAN journey alive.

For South Africa, it’s the chance to finish the job early and walk into the quarter-finals with momentum.

When the whistle blows in Kampala, expect a game heavy with urgency, discipline and ambition from both camps - a true reflection of what tournament football is all about.