BAFANA CHASE A HOME WIN
BAFANA Bafana have endured turbulent times recently at home in Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers and they will be looking to turn things around against Seychelles at FNB Stadium tomorrow at 3pm.
Bafana are winless at home in four Afcon qualifiers. Bafana also failed to win at home in the previous Afcon qualifiers.
They shared the spoils in all of their three matches against Gambia, Cameroon and Mauritania at home.
As a result they couldn’t book a ticket to Gabon in 2017 as they finished third in the group.
Bafana are currently tied with Libya on four points after two matches in these qualifiers.
They got off to a flying starting dispatching Nigeria 2-0 away from home and then they were held at home by Libya last month at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The goalless draw against Libya stretched Bafana’s winless streak to four games at home in Afcon qualifiers.
Bafana haven’t won at home since 2014. Their last victory at home in Afcon qualifiers came against Sudan at Moses Mabhida.
Bafana eased past Sudan 2-1 to officially book their place at the Afcon that was held in Equatorial Guinea.
Even in that qualification process Bafana struggled at home as they only manage to win one game. They played out stalemates against Nigeria and Congo Brazaville in Mzansi.
It was away from home where they were in red hot form as they earned victories against Congo, Sudan and drew with Nigeria.
Seychelles are the whipping boys of the group.
They are yet to open their account in two outings. Libya dismantled them 5-1 in their opening fixture while the Super Eagles thumped the Islanders 3-0 on their own turf.
Seychelles have conceded eight goals in two matches. They have managed to find the back of the net once.
Seychelles are winless in their past 17 matches. So, there’s no better way of improving the unimpressive record at home then winning this game.
The Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter, has also struggled in his second spell in charge, especially in qualification matches.
He took over the reigns in the middle of the World Cup qualifiers last year. In five matches, Baxter only manage to deliver one victory.
Baxter was embarrassed by the minnows, Cape Verde. They defeated Bafana home and away.
The Briton also succumbed to two defeats against Senegal. The only victory for Baxter came against Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium during the Afcon qualifiers.
He started well in Afcon qualifiers last year beating Nigeria away from home but was held by Libya last month.
This is an opportunity for Baxter to improve his record in important matches.