Skilful Morocco a threat
UP AGAINST A SCARY ENEMY
THE inside info is that Bafana Bafana don t just
’ fare badly against North African opponents they
– are wary of playing them.
But whether they like it or not, they play Morocco later this afternoon.
At worst, Bafana need to play to a draw to advance to the second round.
A win against Morocco (a daunting prospect) would serve as a huge incentive for Bafana s morale.
’ But many we spoke to tell of an aversion by our national soccer squad to pit their strength against such sides as Morocco, whom they fear play with lots of skill and with a huge European influence.
While local fans are of the impression that the North Africans are there for the taking, players such as former Bafana striker Benni McCarthy are quick to caution the locals against our opponents. They are skilful with a lot of European “influence in their game,” says McCarthy. They might not have showed much “in their first game against Angola, but looked different in their second game against Cape Verde. Our victory against Angola gave “us the confidence we need for the next game. Our guys must go out there and win convincingly. We don t have to depend “’ on other teams to decide our fate.”
Former Bafana striker Philemon Masinga says if we play as we did against Angola, South Africa can achieve a lot. But we ve never been comfort
’ able playing against today s
’ opponents, who seemed to pick up form in their second game. We must guard against “believing they are of lesser strength than the teams we ve played against so far.
’ They are slick, fast-paced and spice “their game with incredible skills,” he says.
Former Bafana defender Matthew Booth says: Gordon
“(Igesund) took a gamble when he rested big names such as (Simphiwe) Tshabalala and (Reneilwe) Letsholonyane and, fortunately for him, it paid off. Had he lost he would “have been hammered. He took a chance “and the players responded quite positively. We “will see the best of Shabba now now that a
– healthy competition for places is emerging. We haven t seen the boys get stuck “’ in and fight so hard in a long time. And if they give it their all, blood, sweat and tears, I strongly believe we ll
’ go far in the tournament. I think we shouldn t worry “’ about the other game on Sunday, but stick to our game plan against Morocco, he says.
” Morocco are a different side with “great momentum, but guts and determination should see us through. The spirit is there, the “determination, the nation is behind the team and everything is going for Bafana.”
Former Bafana coach Ted Dumitru, who seldom minces his words about the team s performances,
’ says he has been watching Morocco and was surprised by their sudden rise to form.
If they keep on playing like that, “they could be a handful for our guys,” says Dumitru.
They have skilful players and I “have this fear that we don t have the
’ ability to absorb pressure from skilful opponents. We also seem to struggle to score against well organised teams,” he says. But we do have players “with individual brilliance and we can surprise most teams in this tournament. Playing at home is a “huge advantage. We need to use it.
I think if we qualify “anything is possible. But we must make “sure that we correct all our problems before we trot onto the pitch.”
Safa CEO Dennis Mumble says: I have no doubt about
“our chances of winning (today). This is one team we must beat “and advance to the next stage.”