Bafana can sneak in — Igesund
But Ethiopians also confident
SOUTH Africa might as well kiss their 2014 World Cup chances goodbye because Ethiopia will not lose to Central African Republic (CAR) in Brazzaville on Saturday, says Walia Antelopes and Bidvest Wits striker Getaneh Kebede.
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, though, believes CAR will give the Ethiopians a tougher game than expected and that SA have a chance to sneak through to the final, home and away knockout round of qualifying, with a win against Botswana in Durban.
Kebede, the 21-year-old top scorer and player of the year in the Ethiopian league last season and an emerging talent in Africa, has been making waves in South African football. He has scored two goals in two games since joining Wits in July, including a superb back-heel through the keeper’s legs in Sunday’s MTN8 semifinal first leg against Platinum Stars.
More crucially, his 43rdminute equalising goal against Bafana in Addis Ababa in June put SA under pressure in a must-win game, leading to Bernard Parker’s own goal and a victory to the Walias that they believed put them through to the final round, sparking huge street celebrations.
A day later Fifa’s website announced Ethiopia had fielded a suspended player in a qualifier. The three points docked has given Bafana an outside chance to progress, though Kebede believes it has only prolonged South Africans’ agony at not reaching Brazil 2014.
“We will win this game against CAR,” the striker said this week. “The game is at a neutral venue. If we were playing in Bangui, we would be worried. Ethiopians will travel to Brazzaville, while I doubt many will from CAR, so it could almost be a home game for us.”
Ethiopia’s local-based players — Kebede and prolific strike partner Salahdin Said play abroad — have had plenty of preparation for Saturday.
“The squad have spent one month training in camp,” Kebede said. “There are only four overseas-based players and all the local-based players have been part of the camp.”
Igesund believes he has selected one of his strongest squads to meet Botswana at Moses Mabhida Stadium, including the return of former captain Bongani Khumalo and Ajax Amsterdam’s Thulani Serero. But the Bafana coach cautions against overconfidence. The Zebras’ 1-1 draw against SA in Gaberone, along with a 1-1 opening stalemate at home to Ethiopia, put Bafana on the back foot in Group A.
“Anything can happen in football and there are no easy games, especially in World Cup qualifiers,” Igesund said in reference not just to his own side’s fixture, but with a hopeful eye on Brazzaville too.
“Our game against Botswana is going to be a hell of a game. If they win, and the other game is a draw, they can also qualify.”
Igesund believes CAR will give Ethiopia a tough game, despite being in last place and having nothing left to play for.
“I say this because when we played CAR in Cameroon, it was a tough game. We won 3-0 but we had to play very well.
“We took our chances, but they also had three or four very good chances and it took some brilliant saves from Itumeleng Khune to keep us in the game. They caught us on a day when we played really well.
“I think CAR are a proud nation and their players want to do well. Whatever happens we’ve got no control over that, but we will just do what we have to do and win our game and see what happens.”
Wishful thinking, perhaps, or positivity from the coach to keep his own team motivated. Right now, there is no other option for Igesund and Bafana.