South
Africa takes on Mali on Wednesday, 15 January at the Cape Town Stadium.
Kick-off is at 17h00.
“It
is very important for us to go to the match with Nigeria in a very comfortable
position. There is a strong possibility that three teams could end on six
points each and we don’t want that situation. We cannot worry about what other
teams are doing, but can only worry about what we can control. The players
know, and I made it very clear that we have to beat Mali and we will see what
happens in the other game – if they end up in a draw the better for us,” said
Igesund.
“But
we don’t want to go that far ahead (into the Nigeria match). We take each game
as it comes and after Mali we will think of Nigeria – but tomorrow we will be
ready for the game. It should be a tough one but I am quite confident because
even though we started slowly I believe we will get stronger and stronger.”
Much
has been made of the physical nature of Mali’s game, but the Bafana Bafana
mentor has a plan.
“We
are playing against a very good and physical team so we have been working hard
on keeping the ball, making quick passes because we don’t want to get into a
tussle with them as we will come off second best. We need to be clever and use
the ball well and need to be more penetrative than we were in the first match
(against Mozambique). So the mission is very clear – we have to get a result in
this game so we know where we are,” added Igesund.
“Our
tactics will change from our clash with Mozambique. We cannot allow Mali free
play in the middle of the park because they are a very good side and if they
can get a chance they will finish us off. I was quite surprised how impressive
Mali was against Nigeria, which indicates we have our work cut out for us. I am
contemplating making changes to the playing personnel because this is a totally
different game. I want to have a bit more pace going forward but those changes
will be completely tactical.”
Igesund
has also thanked the supporters for coming in numbers to back Bafana Bafana.
“I
would like to thank the people of Cape Town and we all know the support here
has always been wonderful. It is lovely when you walk onto the pitch and you
see so many fans in the stands, it is nice to be appreciated and we owe it to
them to keep on performing. I just hope our performance against Mozambique will
encourage them to come back tomorrow against Mali. I also thank those who
supported the team even those from outside Cape Town, we are really grateful,”
concluded Igesund.
Bafana
Bafana have completed their preparations for the game against Mali. The squad
has a clean bill of health.
Meanwhile,
Nigeria will face Mozambique later in another Group A at the same venue,
kick-off at 20h00.
