Praia no picnic, says Shakes
FORMER COACH: IT WILL BE SO TOUGH
He then says ‘six points and we will win the World Cup’.
Former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba says it won’t be easy for the senior national men’s team to win in Praia when they face Cape Verde in a World Cup qualifier on Friday.
Mashaba believes the reason Bafana will find it very difficult to beat the Blue Sharks will be the weather conditions in the West African nation, as well as the artificial pitch the game will be played on and the home supporters.
“I think it is going to be a tough game, let’s not take it lightly. Firstly, I hear people saying we are better when we play away. Yes, I want to agree if you look at our recent records away from home. But this one is going to be a different ballgame,” said Mashaba.
“Second problem is going to be the surface we will be playing on. And of course the weather and the supporters, but I think coach Stuart Baxter will work on those kinds of things.”
The former Bafana mentor wished the team well for this clash and he believes the team can do well at the World Cup if they manage to qualify.
“Get six points here, I am not saying we are going to qualify for the World Cup, I am saying we are going to win the World Cup. There is always a first time for everything in life.”
Before being sacked as the Bafana coach in December last year, Mashaba earned four points for the national team on their journey towards World Cup qualification in Russia after getting a point against Burkina Faso following a 1-1 draw away from home and a 2-1 victory against a strong Senegalese side at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Cape Verde occupy the bottom spot in Group D, having yet to register any points after two games, while Bafana are second with four points, level with Burkina Faso who are on top. Senegal are third with three points.