Mothiba the dangerman for SA against Libya

Libya are sure to have done their research on him‚ but that does not mean that in the flesh they will necessarily be able to contend with Bafana Bafana’s hottest young striking property, Lebogang Mothiba, in Sfax on Sunday.

Bafana need a draw from the Group E Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Tunisia‚ and Libya need a win‚ to reach Egypt 2019 in June and July.

South Africa could find themselves up against it in the coastal city of Sfax‚ where the match will be played because of the unstable security situation in Libya.

Libya were able to penetrate Bafana’s defence on a few occasions with a highly effective counterattack in the corresponding fixture in Durban in September‚ a 0-0 draw.

However‚ as SA coach Stuart Baxter has pointed out‚ Strasbourg striker Mothiba missed that game through injury‚ and could be the difference needed when Bafana will need a step up in performance for the away fixture.

“I know that Libya are preparing very hard for us because this game is going to decide which team goes to the Afcon‚” Mothiba said in Tunisian capital Tunis‚ where Bafana were camping before a 270km bus ride to Sfax on Thursday.

“But the first game I wasn’t here so this is my first time I’m going to play against Libya.

“So for us‚ we must just keep focus‚ and keep working hard at training‚ listen to the coach’s instructions and do our best.”

South Africa trained in Tunis as they could not find a suitable facility in Sfax.

They will train at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri match venue on Friday and Saturday.

Libya will look to their dangerous‚ pacy centre-forward Anis Saltou to be their answer to Mothiba threatening Bafana’s goal.

Mothiba said SA should concentrate on their own game rather than be too concerned over Libya’s potential dangermen.

“We mustn’t think like that. We just need to focus on our work‚” he said.

“We mustn’t think about who’s dangerous, we just need to do what we do best and go there and give everything.”

Second-placed SA are on nine points in Group E‚ and third-placed Libya have seven points. Nigeria have qualified with 10 points.

Seychelles are eliminated on one point.