Igesund says Bafana will be in top form come AFCON

GORDON IGESUND warned Bafana’s African Cup of Nations oppenets that his team will be more than ready to take on the continent’s best come January 19.

Speaking after the defeat against Norway at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night, Igesund said: “Our AFCON opponents would have been watching us tonight and they will watch us on Saturday when we take on Algeria, however they will not be able to read much into it.

“I mixed around tonight and will do so against Algeria as well, so we will be a diffferent team come the time we play them.”

He added that the team is continuing to improve on a daily basis and will be at their best when they face off against group opponenets Cape Verde, Morrocco and Angola at the continental showpiece.

And despite South Africa being the lowest-ranked of all the nations at the event and largely failing to spark against Norway, Igesund was confident that as the host nation Bafana would do well.

Bafana’s first opponents, Cape Verde, are making their debut at the African showpiece but cannot be considered easy opponents after qualifying at the expense of African giants Cameroon.

The “Blue Sharks” from Cape Verde continued their own tournament preparations with a match against another African giant and AFCON rivals Nigeria last night.

Elsewhere, after holding defending champions Zambia to a goalless draw on Tuesday, group opponents Morocco could prove to be tough opposition for Bafana.

The North African nation will also be looking to justify leaving out thier English- based stars Marouane Chamakh and Adel Taarabt by producing impressive performances. They play a final warm-up match against Namibia at the weekend.