Assistant coach of South Africa Helman Mkhalele says he is happy that they were not drawn in the same group with the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
South Africa were placed in Group B with Zimbabwe, Angola and Egypt at the ceremony which was held in the Moroccan city of Rabat on Monday evening.
Speaking to SABC Sport before the draw, Mkhalele said: “If I had to be asked which team I wouldn’t want to see drawn with South Africa is Zimbabwe and maybe Nigeria and Benin.
“This is because we’re in the same group in the World Cup Qualifiers.”
After the draw which had Zimbabwe in their group, one of the teams he said he would want his team to avoid , the coach said it didn’t come to him as a surprise that the Warriors were in their group, and termed it a tough group.
“I’m not surprised that we were drawn with Zimbabwe, but our reaction is that it is a tough group because we know each other well and also for the fact that all the teams in the pool have improved.
“We will try to pick up from where we left in the last edition.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
