BAFANA Bafana’s strength in organisation will be put to the test in their World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia at the Addis Ababa Stadium tomorrow.
On the back of their impressive 3- 0 victory against Central African Republic here at the Stade Ahmidou Ahidjo, the South Africans need a win to go to the top of Group A with one match at home against Botswana remaining.
Ethiopia, on 10 points, beat Botswana 2-1 in Gaborone on Saturday to preserve a two-point lead over Bafana.
The Walia Antelopes play their last game against CAR in that war- torn country’s capital, Bangui. The group winner progresses to one final, 10-team, home and away knockout phase.
What was evident for Bafana against CAR is that the high degree of organisation the South Africans are showing under Gordon Igesund is their strength in qualifiers like these.
SA’s two ball winners in midfield, Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, provide a solid base and protect the back four in a 4-3-3 formation that is hard to break down.
And once the ball is won, the transition to attack via the creativity of Letsholonyane, May Mahlangu and Siphiwe Tshabalala, behind quick forwards such as Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie, is creating opportunities.
Bafana have scored 12 times in their past six games, and conceded just three times.
But that impressive record will stand for little against an Ethiopia side who displayed attacking ground football at the Africa Cup of Nations in SA in January .
Furman said Bafana are well aware of the challenge they face.
“We know it’s going to be difficult, but I think we’ve shown over the past few months we don’t fear anyone and that we can go away from home and, under adverse circumstances, put on good performances and most importantly get results,” the midfielder said.
“So we’ll be going into the game with that mindset, knowing it’s not going to be easy but also what’s at stake and that we need the maximum points to take us to the top of the group.”
Bafana’s injury-hit, makeshift defence started shakily against a fired- up CAR on Saturday, though stabilised as the game went on. They are likely to be put under more pressure tomorrow, and the central pairing of Thabo Nthethe and Eric Mathoho will need to be at their best.
Ethiopia’s danger man, striker Salahdin Said, the top scorer in Group A with four goals, will need to be especially closely guarded.
“I think everyone’s important to this game,” Furman said.
“You can’t really single out anyone, as a unit we’re going to have to be solid. We know Ethiopia like to get the ball down and play good football.
“But we want to talk about what we’ve got to offer the game and we’re all working hard for one another. ”
*Live on SABC 1, at 3pm.
Win or bust for Bafana
On the back of their impressive 3- 0 victory against Central African Republic here at the Stade Ahmidou Ahidjo, the South Africans need a win to go to the top of Group A with one match at home against Botswana remaining.
Ethiopia, on 10 points, beat Botswana 2-1 in Gaborone on Saturday to preserve a two-point lead over Bafana.
The Walia Antelopes play their last game against CAR in that war- torn country’s capital, Bangui. The group winner progresses to one final, 10-team, home and away knockout phase.
What was evident for Bafana against CAR is that the high degree of organisation the South Africans are showing under Gordon Igesund is their strength in qualifiers like these.
SA’s two ball winners in midfield, Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, provide a solid base and protect the back four in a 4-3-3 formation that is hard to break down.
And once the ball is won, the transition to attack via the creativity of Letsholonyane, May Mahlangu and Siphiwe Tshabalala, behind quick forwards such as Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie, is creating opportunities.
Bafana have scored 12 times in their past six games, and conceded just three times.
But that impressive record will stand for little against an Ethiopia side who displayed attacking ground football at the Africa Cup of Nations in SA in January .
Furman said Bafana are well aware of the challenge they face.
“We know it’s going to be difficult, but I think we’ve shown over the past few months we don’t fear anyone and that we can go away from home and, under adverse circumstances, put on good performances and most importantly get results,” the midfielder said.
“So we’ll be going into the game with that mindset, knowing it’s not going to be easy but also what’s at stake and that we need the maximum points to take us to the top of the group.”
Bafana’s injury-hit, makeshift defence started shakily against a fired- up CAR on Saturday, though stabilised as the game went on. They are likely to be put under more pressure tomorrow, and the central pairing of Thabo Nthethe and Eric Mathoho will need to be at their best.
Ethiopia’s danger man, striker Salahdin Said, the top scorer in Group A with four goals, will need to be especially closely guarded.
“I think everyone’s important to this game,” Furman said.
“You can’t really single out anyone, as a unit we’re going to have to be solid. We know Ethiopia like to get the ball down and play good football.
“But we want to talk about what we’ve got to offer the game and we’re all working hard for one another. ”
*Live on SABC 1, at 3pm.
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