“We cannot afford to relax, this is going to be a difficult game which will be tactically exhausting and emotionally challenging, but we believe we have the opportunity to edge closer to qualification for Afcon 2012,” said South African coach Pitso Mosimane.
The Group G match will take place at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday evening with the kick-off scheduled for 8.05pm.
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South Africa top the group with four points after a 2-0 win over Niger and 0-0 draw with Sierra Leone. Egypt, the defending Afcon champions, on the other hand, presently prop up the group with just one point after a 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone and a shock 1-0 defeat to Niger.
Mosimane knows the game will not be an easy one as the Egyptians will be looking to get their qualifying campaign back on track, but he and his players believe they have what it takes to get the full three points.
Only once before has Mosimane, as coach of South Africa, suffered defeat to the Pharaohs. This was back in November 2006 when he watched his side lose 1-0 to the North Africans in an international friendly at Griffin Park in England. That was the last official encounter between the two teams.
However, with that in mind, Mosimane says that was then and this is now.
“We should be able to play Egypt and we believe we can win this game; we feel the pressure, but we wouldn't be here if we didn't like the pressure,” he said.
Players feeling confident
Even Bafana’s players are highly confident ahead of the match and are led by the inspirational Steven Pienaar.
“We are all aware it is not going to be easy and this is one match we cannot afford to lose, as we want to keep our aspirations of qualifying alive. We have to ensure we retain all three points in South Africa,” suggested the captain.
Another highly experienced player in the squad is Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, who believes now is the best time to beat Egypt because of what he thinks is their poor conditioning.
“Technically and tactically they are sound, but their physical conditioning is not at the peak so we have to capitalise on that. We have to hit them with pace and speed and ensure that they don’t stand a chance against us,” said Dikgacoi.
Still, despite the Bafana players’ confidence ahead of the match, the fact remains that in order to win they have to score goals and ensure they don’t concede any at the back.
The man South Africa will be relying on as their last line of defence is Kaizer Chiefs’ keeper, Itumeleng Khune, who knows a tough task lies ahead for him.
“I expect a busy day at the office because I know they can attack the whole match, but we have prepared well for them. I have spoken to Morgan (Gould) as well in terms of defending the goals; who the danger men are and how we will deal with them.”
Finally, games cannot be won if goals aren’t scored and that responsibility will probably fall on the shoulders of Mamelodi Sundowns striker, Katlego Mphela. Still, it will all depend on the approach the coach takes and whether or not he will employ an attacking style.
Whatever Mosimane decides to do, Mphela says he is ready and the fact that Egypt will be chasing victory will only help their cause.
“They only have one point in the group so they will have to try and attack us to try and get the win. That should open up space for us to attack and we have to make sure we take our chances. We are experienced now and we know how to go out there and get a result.”
Source -http://iAfrica.com
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