Bafana Bafana want to again create a culture of putting away opponents at home, said vice-captain Dean Furman ahead of today’s friendly international against Guinea-Bissau at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
South Africa, once poor travellers on the continent, have in recent years reversed that trend, but have struggled to overcome opposition at home.
Furman said a priority for the friendlies against 80th-ranked Guinea-Bissau and then 147th-placed Angola in East London on Tuesday, has been a focus on re-establishing home dominance.
These two friendlies serve as preparation for South Africa ahead of their crucial away and home World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde Islands on August 28 and September 2.
Guinea-Bissau and Angola, like Cape Verde, have strong links to Portugal, where a number of their players are based.
“Tomorrow’s game is all about preparation for us. I think Safa have done great in finding two ex-Portuguese colonies for us to play, which will be similar to Cape Verde,” SuperSport United midfielder Furman said.
“It will give us a little bit of an idea of what we’re going to come up against.
“We’re obviously familiar with Angola from our playoffs and the Chan games. Guinea-Bissau were at Afcon this year, and they’re a good side. It’s going to be a difficult game.
“But for us, we had Neil Tovey come and speak to us the other day, and he said that one of the things that is vital for us is our home form.
“We have to start putting nations to bed at home. We have to make sure it’s very difficult for our opponents to come here.
“We want to win. Winning breeds confidence, it gets the fans behind us and that’s what we’re hoping to do .”
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of 1.7 million, were shock qualifiers for this year’s Afcon finals in Gabon, where they drew against the hosts and lost narrowly to eventual winners Cameroon.
Bafana have met Angola five times since beating them 2-0 as hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
In 2015, the two teams met in a friendly in Cape Town (South Africa won 2-0), and Bafana were eliminated from the Chan by Palancas Negras. South Africa then knocked Angola out of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers.
The first-time call-ups for U20 internationals Phakamani Mahlambi and Luther Singh, and recalls for Kermit Erasmus, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Lebogang Manyama and Thabo Mnyamane have increased the competition in a Bafana team competing for places in this year’s qualifiers.
“They're very exciting players, and it’s been a wonderful time working with them,” Bafana right back Ramahlwe Mphahlele said yesterday.
South Africa begin their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign away against Nigeria on June 9.
Bafana aim to rule at home
South Africa, once poor travellers on the continent, have in recent years reversed that trend, but have struggled to overcome opposition at home.
Furman said a priority for the friendlies against 80th-ranked Guinea-Bissau and then 147th-placed Angola in East London on Tuesday, has been a focus on re-establishing home dominance.
These two friendlies serve as preparation for South Africa ahead of their crucial away and home World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde Islands on August 28 and September 2.
Guinea-Bissau and Angola, like Cape Verde, have strong links to Portugal, where a number of their players are based.
“Tomorrow’s game is all about preparation for us. I think Safa have done great in finding two ex-Portuguese colonies for us to play, which will be similar to Cape Verde,” SuperSport United midfielder Furman said.
“It will give us a little bit of an idea of what we’re going to come up against.
“We’re obviously familiar with Angola from our playoffs and the Chan games. Guinea-Bissau were at Afcon this year, and they’re a good side. It’s going to be a difficult game.
“But for us, we had Neil Tovey come and speak to us the other day, and he said that one of the things that is vital for us is our home form.
“We have to start putting nations to bed at home. We have to make sure it’s very difficult for our opponents to come here.
“We want to win. Winning breeds confidence, it gets the fans behind us and that’s what we’re hoping to do .”
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of 1.7 million, were shock qualifiers for this year’s Afcon finals in Gabon, where they drew against the hosts and lost narrowly to eventual winners Cameroon.
Bafana have met Angola five times since beating them 2-0 as hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
In 2015, the two teams met in a friendly in Cape Town (South Africa won 2-0), and Bafana were eliminated from the Chan by Palancas Negras. South Africa then knocked Angola out of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers.
The first-time call-ups for U20 internationals Phakamani Mahlambi and Luther Singh, and recalls for Kermit Erasmus, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Lebogang Manyama and Thabo Mnyamane have increased the competition in a Bafana team competing for places in this year’s qualifiers.
“They're very exciting players, and it’s been a wonderful time working with them,” Bafana right back Ramahlwe Mphahlele said yesterday.
South Africa begin their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign away against Nigeria on June 9.
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