Bafana look sharp, says AmaZulu coach

AmaZulu were asked to play to a defensive game plan in their training match against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday to try to replicate what the national team expects from Libya on Saturday, coach Cavin Johnson said.

He said Bafana appeared highly motivated in their 2-0 training match win against his club at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.

The game‚ played in 30minute halves‚ served as a warm-up for SA for their crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. The game kicks off at 3pm. Johnson did not want to give too much away about Bafana’s approach in the match‚ but he did say that goal-scorers Vincent Pule and Bradley Grobler looked sharp.

“Look‚ we did specifics for Stuart in order for him to get from the game what he wanted‚” Johnson said.

“But performance-wise‚ I couldn’t tell you who really stood out.

“What I can say is that the team looked like it was in good spirits‚ and looked happy.

“They trained [for an hour] before we came there as well.

“We were given a specific instruction from Stuart to play a certain way‚ and we did that.

“Bafana were able to probably achieve their objectives.

“But they look very positive and they look like they’re prepared. Hopefully they are.

“We just wish them the best‚ and hope that whatever we were able to provide on the day helps them to overcome the opposition.”

Johnson said Orlando Pirates winger Pule and SuperSport United striker Grobler both looked on song.

“Ja‚ they both looked good‚” the AmaZulu coach said.

Baxter asked AmaZulu to sit deep and mostly absorb pressure playing a spoiling game against Bafana‚ hoping to replicate a defensive approach he expects from Libya.

Goals would hardly have been the priority, but Baxter might have got some satisfaction that Pule‚ a replacement for injured Themba Zwane‚ and Grobler‚ who began the week not training fully with a knock‚ got on the scoresheet.

Bafana began their Cameroon 2019 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win against Nigeria away in Uyo.

Libya started Group E with a 5-1 thrashing of Seychelles in Egypt. –