Bafana can see off Botswana, says defender

BAFANA Bafana defender Junaid Sait is confident they will finish off the job when they host Botswana in the second leg of their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier at Rustenburg’s Moruleng Stadium on Saturday.

The South Africans lead 2-0 from the first-leg encounter played away from home in Francistown last weekend and Junaid‚ son of former Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu midfielder Kamaal‚ is confident of a positive result.

If Bafana Bafana finish off the job as they are expected to on Saturday and progress to the third round of the qualifiers‚ they are likely to meet Zambia.

The Zambians have what seems like an unassailable lead after beating Swaziland 4-0 in the first leg at the Somhlolo Stadium at the weekend.

“Coach Stuart Baxter has told us to carry on with the winning mentality and attitude we showed in Botswana.

“We are definitely going for the win in the second leg to ensure that we progress to the next round of this competition‚” Sait said.

“For most of the younger players‚ this is the opportunity to represent our country and [ensure] that we learn the ropes of playing at this level so that when other opportunities of playing at senior tournaments arise we are ready.”

Their victory over Botswana away from home was a result of working together as a team, he said, and following the instructions from the coach.

“I was itching to play because this is the national team where competition is always tough and all the players want to play.

“I am here to learn from an experienced coach like Stuart Baxter and become a better player for the future.”

Earlier this year‚ Sait captained Stellenbosch FC in the promotion/relegation playoffs, but the lower-tier club failed to graduate to the PSL. – TimesLIVE