Polokwane promises to rally behind Bafana
Mayor challenges team to go for maximum points
Bafana Bafana have been promised huge support for their crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal in Polokwane on Friday.
Bafana take on the Lions of Teranga at the 45 000-seater Peter Mokaba Stadium at 7pm, with tickets selling for just R30.
Led by head coach Stuart Baxter, the team arrived yesterday via Polokwane International Airport, where they were received by a government delegation and a few jubilant members of the public.
Despite the low turnout at the airport, Polokwane’s executive mayor Thembi Nkadimeng was quick to assure the team that they will have enough support on Friday.
“To the coach and your team, this is Polokwane municipality and you know us very well.
“You know our hospitality, love and support. We have pulled out all the stops to ensure that this one is also a spectacle,” Nkadimeng stated.
Nkadimeng was joined by MEC for Sports in the province Onicca Moloi.
The last time Bafana were in town, they beat Senegal 2-1 at the same venue a year ago, but the match has to be replayed after Fifa’s order owing to conclusions that Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey manipulated the fixture.
Bafana enjoyed decent support for that encounter and Moloi said nothing has changed, but also challenged the team to exert themselves.
“Remember that you are carrying the hopes of the entire nation and, as people of Limpopo, we assure you of our support all the way... Skaba hemisa (make it difficult for them),” Moloi said.
Baxter expressed his gratitude for the support ahead of the clash.
“We truly believe that given the right support, the right attitude of the players and if we can enjoy the occasion as much as we want to compete, we really believe that we can take the three points,” Baxter said.
Bafana skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo said the game was massive for the country.
“As a team, as a country, we know this game is important for us. We must make sure we get a proper result,” Hlatshwayo said.