14 November 2021 – The World Cup Qualifier against Zimbabwe at FNB stadium on Thursday has almost been forgotten about. Bafana won by 1-0 after Teboho Mokoena found the back of net in the 26th minute giving South Africa the much needed three points as they advance in Group G and top the table on 13 points. The win according to Coach Hugo Broos, was scrappy and he feels his team did not perform at their peak.
“I believe in this team and I know what they can do. Against Zimbabwe they did not perform as we had planned, it was scrappy and they know it. They’ll have to do better against Ghana. We need to win well away,” said Coach Hugo Broos.
Friday morning the team were up early and headed to OR Tambo International Airport with a few guests joining the team in Cape Coast. Gary Rathbone SABC Sport GM, Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi, DG of Sports Vusumuzi Mkhize and Charles Zama of Hollywoodbets, from the media desk Daniel Mothowagae from the City Press and Kgomotso Mokoena of Sunday World.
CEO Tebogo Mothlanthe who has braved the trip with the team said, “We believe in the team, we believe that they can lead South Africa to greatness. We believe that we will be making our way to a World Cup next year. We believe it is all possible and we hope that South Africa stand with us today in this crucial encounter against the Black Stars.”
Thirteen hours of travel to Cape Coast took its toll, in addition the severe humidity presented with very little time to acclimatise, but against the odds the team remain motivated to do what they came here for and that is to win.
If Bafana win or draw against Ghana on Sunday, they will advance to the next round of qualifying. The ten Africa group winners then play in five home and away knockout matches in March 2022. Five winners then secure World Cup qualification. A loss will end the national teams hopes.
Latest team news is that Evidence Makgopa took a knock at training yesterday, and is still being monitored by the team Doctor Tshepo Molobi, the rest of the team are fully fit for selection.
The match is scheduled for 21h00 SA time, live on SABC 1, TelkomOne, DTT, Open View Channel 124.