IT’S beginning to sound like a well-rehearsed song as almost all Bafana Bafana players agree that Niger are a closed book.
Bafana kick off their qualifying campaign for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 against the west Africans at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium tomorrow.
And most of the squad, who will be involved in their final training session this afternoon, have consensus Niger are an unknown quantity.
Everton and Bafana playmaker, Steve Pienaar, coach Pitso Mosimane, Aaron Mokoena, MacBeth Sibaya and striker Kermit Erasmus all maintain they know very little about the opposition.
Pienaar reckons it’s the unknown factor that makes him believe they’re in for a tough time against Niger, as they go in search of three points, to get their group off on a good note.
“There are no easy games in international football. Everyone can beat anyone in our group. “This is gonna be a tough match for us and we don’t know what to expect from Niger as we don’t know them,” said Pienaar.
Pienaar says however making sure of the three points was the most important aspect.
“We must make sure that we don’t rush and make mistakes.
“Our preparations have been going very well and I’m ready to play anywhere the coach wants me. It is very important for us to qualify for the tournament after failing to do so for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“We were really disappointed with our failure and we don’t want that to happen again. Collecting the three points is the best thing we can do,” said Pienaar.
Defender Siboniso Gaxa, who has signed with Belgian club Lierse, concurs they need to start their qualifying campaign with a bang.
Gaxa has warned Bafana against complacency and to get it out of their mindset that African champions, Egypt, are the only difficult team in their group.
“Everyone in our group is going to be difficult. I know that people are saying Egypt will be our toughest opponents, but I differ with them because all the teams will make it difficult for us. But the most important thing for us is to win our home games and compete equally when we play outside the country,” he said.
Gaxa said his move to SK Lierse from Sundowns, was a dream come true.
“I’m very happy that I’m finally going to play in Europe. It’s a new challenge, a new country and environment.
“I’m really excited that I have finally realised my dream,” the KwaMashu-born defender said.
On competing with Racing Genk defender, Anele Ngcongca, for the right-back position at Bafana, Gaxa said: “I’m still part of the team and I’m fighting to return to the starting line-up. I will work very hard to achieve that.”
Bafana left for Nelspruit yesterday evening and will get a feel of the Mbombela Stadium pitch this afternoon.
— By MONWABISI JIMLONGO
Source- daily dispacth online
