Bafana
Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has warned his players not to get carried away
with Wednesday, 23 January 2013’s victory over Angola in the side’s second
match of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013.
Bafana
Bafana defeated Angola 2-0 and they did so in convincing fashion in a dazzling
show at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to jump to the summit of Group A
standings with four points followed by Cape Verde and Morocco who have two
points each. Angola has one point following their goalless draw with Morocco in
their opening encounter.
The
match between Morocco and Cape Verde ended in a 1-1 draw.
South
Africa next faces Morocco in the final Group Stage match on Sunday, 27 January
at Moses Mabhida Stadium with Cape Verde and Angola clashing at the same time
at the Nelson Mandela Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Final group
matches are played simultaneously to avoid teams playing for a particular
result.
“We
won our second game, but we really can’t get carried away with that, one win is
not going to qualify us, we know what have to do next. We have a tough match
against a strong Morocco side and we need to win that one,” said Igesund.
“We
know what we need to do on Sunday. We can’t continue living in the past. We
must start celebrating once we qualify for the quarter-finals.”
For
the clash against Angola, Igesund made five changes to the team that played to
a goalless draw with Cape Verde in the opening match of the tournament. He is
the first to admit he took a gamble that worked well in the end.
Asked
if he will change the starting 11 again, the head coach had this to say.
“I
have to give it a lot of thought. I was very happy with the team that started
and I was happy with the team that finished, but obviously there is big difference
now that we need a point.
“But
I am not the kind of coach that will go out there and play defensive football.
At the same time I can’t go out there and open up leaving us vulnerable for
Morocco to score. We can’t take that risk because we can’t afford that. We want
to make sure we qualify, so I will apply my mind properly but I won’t ring a
lot of changes,” he said.
On
the injury front, Kagiso Dikgacoi and Lerato Chabangu are back at full training
with the rest of their teammates after missing out on selection for the Angola
game due to knee and groin injuries respectively. Lehlohonolo Majoro is still
nursing the injury he sustained in the win over Angola, where he scored a goal.
Majoro is unlikely to feature against Morocco after receiving stitches to a
deep cut on his calf.
“I
will get a report tonight or tomorrow about Kagisho Dikgacoi and Chabangu and I
am hoping they are fit for Sunday, not because I want them to play but because
I want more options. As for Majoro, even if he is fit, I don’t think I will
take a risk on him. I won’t gamble on him because if the stitches open up
again, we will be back to square one,” said Igesund.
“Also
I don’t think it’s fair for me to put any player in a position where I can do
further damage to him, so I will get a full report from the team doctor to see
how the stitches have progressed, or if is far too early to use him. So for
now, I don’t think the three players will be available.”
