SA HAVE TO GET OFF TO FAST START

IT’S A BIG WEEK for Bafana Bafana as the arduous journey to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia takes its first important step.

Rest assured, it is a really difficult task, especially taking into consideration the strength of the group the South Africans find themselves in – alongside Senegal, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde.

Only the winning country secures a place on the plane to Russia in two years’ time. As such, there is little room for error.

Bafana’s opening World Cup qualifying match is on Saturday when they are in Ouagadougou to face Burkina Faso. It’s a real challenge and Shakes Mashaba better have his preparation, selection and tactics spot on.

One player who certainly won’t be lacking in confidence as the countdown to the crunch Ouagadougou encounter ticks down is Wits striker Eleazar Rodgers.

He is in superb form and played an influential role in Wits’ 3-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the MTN8 in Nelspruit on Saturday (including a goal and an assist).

His resurgence at Wits, at this early stage of the season, resulted in a recall to the Bafana squad – and it’s looking increasingly likely that he will play a role against Burkina Faso. Based on the strengths of Rodgers’ game – his height, aerial ability, movement off the

Soccer: South African player Rodgers Eleazar, Malawi player (goalkeeper) Trust Luwda. 30 September 2008, South Africa (Bafana Bafana) vs Malawi, Germiston Stadium, Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. Picture. Adrian de Kock 02