Bafana Bafana will have their last training session on Friday, 24 March 2017 before facing Guinea-Bissau the next day (Saturday, 25 March 2017) in an international friendly match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Kickoff in that clash is 15h00.
South Africa’s captain Itumeleng Khune says he they cannot take the opposition lightly – Guinea-Bissau recently competed in the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon, but could not get out of their group.
“We cannot afford to take Guinea Bissau for granted. We have to give them the respect they deserve but we also have to show them that they are in our turf. We have to show the hunger and desire to win the match. We believe we will do well,” said Khune.
Despite being the most capped player in the squad, the Kaizer Chiefs skipper is also excited about part of the new-look squad.
“I have been part of exciting squads before, we have had South Africans complaining about the selection of players, but when this one was announced everyone was happy and posilastive about it – it even gave me goosebumps that I am part of this squad that everyone believes in, and I am really honoured to be here,” added Khune.
“We have great players who are in the form of their lives and this will take us to greater heights. So we just have to gel together. Being the captian of the team I don’t have to relax and say I will walk into the team, in fact maybe I have to work ten times harder than the other players to show that we mean business and I deserve to be in the team.”
Khune says he is also honoured to have been selected as the captain for the two upcoming matches.
“I would like to thank the coach and technical team for giving me the opportunity to lead the team, it’s a great honour once again. We have a very good team, an exciting squad and the players are very happy to be here. But we know what is expected of us, we need to continue from where we left off in the last match. I am happy that we haven’t lost a match in our last ten games, and every player that is here know their responsibilities and also know that we have to continue winning matches,” said Khune.
“The good thing also is that I have a great supporting team of captains – Thulani Hlatshwayo, Dean Furman and Hlompho Kekana, all captains in their teams – and it shows that the coach has great belief in our leadership qualities. We have to work harder to take Bafana Bafana to greater heights. I have enjoyed being captin before, and I still do. We have great players and a great team. Being a captiain you have to lead from the front, lead by example and be on top of your game in every match you play, not only on the field but all off it.”
Bafana Bafana’s next match is against Angola at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Tuesday, 28 March 2017.
Kickoff is at 19h00.