Bafana scraping the barre

Besides having to scramble to put together a 22-man squad, Bafana Bafana remain hopeful of a good result in their Caf Championship of Nations (Chan) qualifiers against Zambia’s Chipolopolo at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday afternoon.

Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter has had to rely on players who are not regulars at their Absa Premiership teams and some from the National First Division (NFD) as withdrawals and injuries hit the team.

Premiership teams are preparing for the start of the league next week and some are in the MTN8 which kick off this weekend and had to recall their players.

Bafana’s stand-in captain Mario Booysen (above) said the team have everything to fight for as the main dream is to win the Chan competition.

“The guys look confident,” said Booysen. “It is going to be more difficult than the Botswana game. Everyone who has come in is looking to make a contribution.”

Booysen knows that they may have to grind out a result on Saturday against a team who will be high on confidence having beaten Bafana’s main team with almost the same players they have now.

“It will come down to the performance on the day. We have to give out our best to get something out of it. We want to make the country proud and it’s important that we score a positive result here at home,” said the Mamelodi Sundowns defender.

Baxter had to add a few players this week after he was left with 14 players following the withdrawals and injuries. Orlando Pirates went back on their decision and allowed defender Tercious Malepe to return to the team.

The seven new additions were Stellenbosch’s duo of Keagan Pool and Tshepo Maboa; Jomo Cosmos trio, Thato Lingweti, Mpho Rasilingwane and Lindokuhle Mntambo; Chippa United’s Menzi Masuku and Jabulani Shongwe of Bidvest Wits. The return leg will be played in Ndola a week later.

It will come down to the performance on the day. We have to give out our best to get something out of it. Bafana captain Mario Booysen