Bafana ‘will have to raise game’

Bafana Bafana will have to lift their game to a significantly higher level when they take on unpredictable Libya in the return leg of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Sfax, Tunisia, on Sunday.

Bafana need a draw from their final Group E game at the imposing 25,000-seater Stade Taïeb Mhiri to qualify for this tournament that will be hosted by Egypt between June and July.

Bafana drew 0-0 with Libya at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in September.

The Libyans displayed an iron defence and a dangerous counterattack‚ penetrating SA several times and forcing Itumeleng Khune‚ who is not available this time around due to injury‚ to pull off some acrobatic saves.

Coach Stuart Baxter admitted SA would probably needed an improved performance in the away match to achieve a draw or a win.

“Looking at the game [in Durban]‚ which I have done many times since then‚ I wouldn’t say they pierced us with their good play‚” the coach said.

“And when they did it was from flank play. Watching them play well in their other games‚ their successes were down the flanks.

“What they did do was they utilised some of our mistakes when we were getting a bit impatient and stretching ourselves.”

Baxter said they had learnt some lessons about the Medi- terranean Knights that would help in Sfax.

“So there were lessons to be learnt there. So I’ve said‚ without revealing any of our strategy‚ that one of the things we are going to have to do is negate their flank play.

“And the other one is‚ what they didn’t have that day was two strikers up against their centrebacks.”

“I think‚ yes‚ we will have to be better than that game. And we will definitely have to be strong mentally.

“But I think we can. Because I think we should base that confidence on‚ for one people have struggled to score against us‚ and for another we have not been beaten.

“So if we execute the game plan I think we have a very good chance.” –