Give me a go, keeper tells coach
Mabokgwane speaks out ahead of Angola game
I have done well in the games I have played and I am ready for the challenge
IT WAS like an audition for a leading role in a blockbuster movie. Jackson Mabokgwane sat two seats away from Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba at a press conference on Monday and confidently spoke of how ready he was to take up the role of No 1 goalkeeper in the absence of the country’s most capped shot stopper, Itumeleng Khune.
The Mpumalanga Black Aces keeper might have even come close to convincing Mashaba right there and then to give him the role in goal for Friday’s 2018 World Cup first-leg qualifier against Angola in Benguela.
It would be a big role to fill for the former junior international, but he believes he has enough experience at this level to inspire Bafana to victory.
“We have quality players who can step up to the challenge. If it’s me on the day, I am confident I can do the country proud,” Mabokgwane said.
“I have played before and I am experienced. I have done well in the games I have played and I am ready for the challenge,” the 27year-old said.
Mabokgwane has played four league matches for Aces this season, two fewer than his compe- tition, Shu-aib Walters.
The former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper has conceded three goals in his four matches and has kept two clean sheets.
At the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea in January, Mabokgwane played in the 1-1 draw with Senegal and was the only goalkeeper of three to start a match and not lose at the competition.
He also featured at the Cosafa Cup, where Bafana suffered two defeats on home soil.
Mabokgwane says they have been keeping a close eye on Angola’s performances recently, a clear sign that Bafana do not want a repeat of what happened in Mauritania, where they were left shellshocked after not doing their homework before a 3-1 defeat.
“It’s an important two games coming up. We are very confident we will do well and go to the next round,” Mabokgwane said.
“We have known for some time that we are going to play Angola and we have kept a close eye on them.
“We know much more about them.”
After a successful tour of Central America, where they beat Costa Rica 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Honduras in friendly internationals, Bafana are determined to start winning more of their competitive matches.
“The trip to Central America has given us confidence going into the World Cup qualifiers,” Mabokgwane said.
“We played quality sides. Costa Rica has been doing well and we managed to beat them. We just need to keep winning.”
Bafana, who host the second leg at Moses Mabhida on Tuesday, left for Angola yesterday and will have two training sessions in Benguela today.
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands has been called up to replace Khune.