Bafana
Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund will have a full compliment of players to work
with this morning (Wednesday, 4 September) 2013 after all selected players
reported for national team duty.
The
latest to arrive were the five Orlando Pirates players, Andile Jali, Senzo
Meyiwa, Daine Klate, Thabo Matlaba and Oupa Manyisa . They had just returned
from club commitments in the CAF Champions League in Egypt. This means Igesund
will have a full squad at training for the first time since arriving in Durban
on Monday.
Tokelo
Rantie (Sweden) and Siyanda Xulu (Russia) were able to catch the second
training session on Tuesday (3 September), after missing the morning session.
The overseas based quartet of Anele Ngcongca and Darren Keet (both Belgium) and
Thulani Serero and Kamogelo Mokotjo (both Holland) took part in the morning
session.
Bafana
Bafana are in the coastal city to take on Botswana in a Brazil 2014 FIFA World
Cup Qualifier scheduled for the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 07
September.
Kickoff
is at 15h30.
The
players are looking forward to the game and have also spoken of the importance
of the match.
“This
is a massive game, it is important that we get the result. We do not have to
think about what happened in the first match when we played to a 1-1 draw. For
us, this match is like a cup final,” said defender Bongani Khumalo.
The
clash also sees the return of midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, who missed a few
Bafana Bafana matches due injury.
“So
far I am excited about my fitness and performance for my club where we have
already played three games which have been very intensive. But most
importantly, I am more excited about being back in the squad and looking
forward to the clash on Saturday,” said Dikgacoi.
“Bafana
Bafana have been doing well so it will be difficult for me to just walk back
into the starting line-up. But the challenge is good as it shows there is
strong competition in the midfield which will make the job of the coach
difficult for Saturday. I am ready to fight for my place.”
Another
player itching to get a run is Holland-based Kamohelo Mokotjo.
“It
is good to be here, and with so many established players in the squad I just
have to keep doing well at club level and my chance will come. I must keep
working hard during training sessions and show the coach what I am capable of,
and if he gives me some minutes I will do my best to impress,” said Mokotjo.
“I
have played five games for my club and scored two goals as a defensive
midfielder. I have been in Europe for four and a half years, and many people in
South Africa do not know a lot about me, so it would be nice to get a run and
show what I am capable of. But I must emphasise that this weekend is not about
me, it is about the team. It is important that we get three points because we
want to qualify for the world cup.“
