Bafana keeper aiming high
WILLIAMS: TWO CLEAN SHEETS WILL MAKE HIM HAPPY
Ghana and Sudan first up for Bafana in bid to qualify for Afcon 2021.
Ronwen Williams says he would be the “happiest person alive” if he can start Bafana Bafana’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with two clean sheets, a feat that would stand South Africa in fine stead to get plenty of reward from this evening’s Group C game in Ghana and Sunday’s second qualifier at home to Sudan at Orlando Stadium.
Bafana had their final training session ahead of the clash with the Black Stars yesterday, and Williams also says that South Africa can do well if they bring a similar attitude to that which they took to face Nigeria in Uyo in their opening match of their 2019 Afcon qualifying campaign, where they surprised the Super Eagles and won 2-0.
Molefi Ntseki has replaced Stuart Baxter as Bafana head coach since then, but this is certainly a very settled squad of players.
“When we were with Stuart (Baxter) in our first game and we played Nigeria, he said we must stop this (they are) bigger than us mentality. It is 11 v 11 at the end of the day and if our mind is right we can beat anyone.
“We pride ourselves on our defending and out structure that is there at the moment. It is something we haven’t had before … if you don’t concede you will win or draw … it is vital that we start our campaign on a positive note, if we keep two clean sheets I will be the happiest person alive.”
South Africa have a generally good record away from home in qualifiers in recent times, though their home form has suffered a little. In qualifying for the 2015 Afcon, Shakes Mashaba’s side picked up wins in the Sudan and Congo-Brazzaville, while they drew with Nigeria and in 2019 qualifying Baxter’s men also picked up seven points on the road.
Bafana under Baxter also, of course, stunned Egypt on home soil at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cairo.
“You would prefer doing well at home in front of your own fans … but as long as you pick up as many points as possible, home or away, it doesn’t matter. We are looking forward to the (Ghana) game.”
Thulani Serero and Kamohelo Mokotjo were the last of the Bafana players to arrive in camp, on Tuesday evening, meaning the pair, who could be a key part of Ntseki’s plans, will only get one training session before the action kicks off this evening.
The Confederation of African Football’s scheduling of this is a little bizarre, cramming two games into a four day spell, when the international week officially ends on Tuesday. Still, the playing field is level for all teams, who will have to find way managing the tricky fixture list.