08 October 2017 – Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter has decided to call off the national team camp earlier than expected.
Instead of dispersing on Monday afternoon (9 October 2017), Baxter felt it would be in the best interest of the squad to release the players early to their clubs.
Bafana Bafana held a training session on Sunday, 8 October after their fine 3-1 win over Burkina Faso on Saturday, 7 October at the FNB Stadium.
The players who started the match only did light work and were then rested, while the others worked with Baxter – only Itumeleng Khune (ankle sprain) and Andile Jali (shoulder sprain) did not take part in any activities.
Others players nursing injuries were Thulani Serero (ankle), Bradley Grobler (ankle), Hlompho Kekana (ankle) and Teboho Langerman (tight calf muscles).
“After serious deliberation with the technical team, we decided that it is not in the best interest of the players to continue with another training session scheduled for Monday. What also pushed us to that decision was the many players carrying injuries and we felt they would be better off if given more time to rest to help them recover quicker,” said Baxter.
“We also believe this will help overseas-based players to spend a few more hours with their families than would have been possible before they jet out of the country to return to their clubs. On the other hand, this will assist local-based players to report early at their teams as we want to keep a healthy relationship with all the clubs – both local and overseas.”
Bafana Bafana’s next match is another crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Senegal.
This will take place on Friday, 10 November 2017 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Kick off is at 19h00.
Four days later (Tuesday, 14 November 2017) they will face the same Senegal in the final match of the qualifiers.
The fixture is scheduled for Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Senegal.
South Africa will have to win the two matches to book their spot in Russia – they are bottom of Group D with four points.
Senegal, who defeated Cape Verde 2-0 on Saturday, 7 October, tops the group with eight points.
Burkina Faso and Cape Verde are tied on six points each with one match remaining – and they will face each other in their final match of the qualifiers.
“Senegal’s victory over Cape Verde has tilted the scale slightly in our favour and now we are still very much alive in the qualifiers. I have been saying we have to live in the here and now, what happens in the other match is not our concern. We have to win the remaining matches and we are off to Russia, anything less we know we are out – because with six points each, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde can only get to nine points, while two wins for us will take us to ten points, so it is very much in our hands,” added Baxter.
“If we thought the clash against Burkina Faso was a World Cup final, the two matches against Senegal are way more than that. We need to continue from where we left off against the Burkinabe and if we can have the same aggression and attitude when we face Senegal, then we are very close to realising our dream. There’s no doubt in my mind or the players’ that it will be a difficult match but it is very much possible to get positive results, and we have to continue to believe. We would like to thank the fans for the support at FNB Stadium, and we are confident they will do so again in Polokwane.”
Bafana Bafana will be without suspended France-based midfielder, Bongani Zungu, who was red-carded in the clash against Burkina Faso.
** Nigeria in Group B and Egypt in Group E are the only two countries who have already qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Group A, C and D are yet to be decided.
Group D Standings:
P W L D GF GA PTS
- Senegal 4 2 2 0 6 2 8
- Burkina Faso 5 1 3 1 6 6 6
- Cape Verde 5 2 0 3 4 8 6
- South Africa 4 1 1 2 6 6 4
This is how South Africa and Burkina Faso lined up:
Bafana Bafana:
Itumeleng Khune (c), Thamsanqa Mkhize, Sfiso Hlanti, Morgan Gould, Clayton Daniels, Bongani Zungu, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi (Lebohang Manyama 81′), Andile Jali (Hlompho Kekana 70′), Percy Tau (Dino Ndlovu 86′)
Subs:
Ronwen Williams (GK), Motjeka Madisha, Tebogo Langerman, Robyn Johannes, Hlompho Kekana, Keagan Dolly, Thulani Serero, Phakamani Mahlambi, Lebohang Manyama, Lebogang Mothiba, Dino Ndlovu, Bradley Grobler
Head coach: Stuart Baxter
Burkina Faso:
Yago, Kone Bakary, Malo, Nakoulma, A. Traore, Ouattara (Diawarra 75′), Koffi, Kabore, B. Traore (Aziz Ki 68′), Bayala (Bance 36′), Toure
Head coach: Paulo Duarte