8 July 2019 – Bafana Bafana fears no one and if the team maintains the same positive mentality, it can go places.
This is the view of striker Lebo Mothiba who was outstanding in the last 16 AFCON match against Egypt last Saturday which South Africa won 1-0.
Stuart Baxter’s charges are preparing for a massive quarter-final encounter against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday, 10 July at Cairo International Stadium. It is another huge game which has elicited lots of talking points among soccer fans.
However, Mothiba who set up the winning goal by Thembinkosi Lorch said Bafana Bafana needs to maintain the 100 percent focus and positive mentality.
“In the match against Egypt, everyone gave 100 percent effort and focus and now we need to keep that going. The win over Egypt galvanised the spirits and we are all looking forward to the next game against Nigeria. We need that positive mentality. The coach has insisted that we should maintain that positive attitude,” he said adding that the secret to success was following the coach’s instructions.
“The coach knows what we need to do against Nigeria. The boss is in charge of that, we will follow his instructions. For the match against Egypt, the coach really pushed us and we are ready for Nigeria and we want to give everything.”
He said the Super Eagles were one of Africa’s giants but was not sure if they are faster and tactically astute than Egypt. He said one thing though is that Nigeria must be treated with utmost respect.
“In the match against Egypt, we played South African football, good when the ball is on the feet but mine is to hold on to the ball for the strikers to arrive in the box. Mine is one touch and play the ball into space,” he said explaining how the winning goal was manufactured.
“The defender thought I would play in front of him for the goal but I outwitted him. I won’t change my style of play, simple and straight forward.”
Mothiba said he was no under pressure to score a goal for the team as long as the team continues to chalk up positive results.
“Scoring is a bonus, goals will come. It is important for the team to win not to focus on individual awards.”