RIVALS ONE UP ON SA
Warriors already honed
BAFANA Bafana have to tread carefully against Namibia in their quarterfinal match at the Cosafa Cup tournament in Zambia tomorrow.
That is because while the South Africans are only joining the competition at the last-eight stage, Namibia went through the group stages and have been able to build up their confidence leading to this crucial match with wins against Mauritius (2-1) and Seychelles (4-2).
As if that was not enough, Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund only started training with his new-look squad yesterday.
Bafana enter the competition at this stage as one of the seeded teams.
Their match in Lusaka kicks off at 1.30pm.
The coach is aware of the hard task that awaits his no-name-brand players against the hard-running Namibians. But Igesund is more worried about getting his team to play and work as a unit.
“I am concerned about getting our team ready. We have two days to prepare and I think we can do that, but how they adapt on the field we will only see on Saturday. ”
Igesund believes this is a good chance for the untried players to show what they can do for the country. He will rely heavily on the few experienced campaigners in the team like striker Katlego Mashego and goalkeeper and stand-in captain Wayne Sandilands.
Another experienced player is Bevan Fransman who is slated to join the team on Monday after featuring for SuperSport United against English giants Manchester City at Loftus on Sunday.
While the decision shows the optimism in the SA camp, they may be back home on Sunday before he jets out.
Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti will relish meeting an inexperienced Bafana Bafana side. A win against his one-time men- tor will also enhance his CV as a new kid on the international coaching block.
The other quarterfinal tomorrow feature Malawi against Zimbabwe at 11am also in Lusaka, while on Sunday guest country Kenya face Angola at 11am and Zambia take on Mozambique at 1.30pm in Kitwe.