Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund.(SABC)
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Bafana Bafana Coach Gordon Igesund has warned the team against complacency. South Africa face Mozambique in an international friendly in Nelspruit tonight.
The Mambas (as the Mozambican football team is called) are just the sort of team to upset the odds, should Bafana think they're in for an easy ride.
Arguably one of the national side's biggest weaknesses is the tendency to relax against less acclaimed opponents. A negative result would reverse Igesund's initial gains.
Igesund says: “ We can't be complacent. You go away and you play against Brazil, you're motivated, you play in front of 50 000 people. The players have got to realise that we need to put in exactly the same kind of effort, same attitude, same commitment and more importantly feel very proud to put on your national team jersey.”
Several players have demonstrated they have what it takes at international level - even compensating for a depleted striking department.
Bafana midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala says: “ It's us who must take responsibility, senior players. But I believe whoever has been given a chance, we'll support him and hopefully we'll supply the goal scoring position.”
And this match is a stepping stone to get Bafana back to where they feel they should be.
“We all got to realise what the big picture is, I mean we are trying to get the best team possible available for the Africa Cup of Nations that's coming up soon. So, these games are very important for me and my technical team to have a good look at the players, ” says Igesund.
The match will be broadcast live on SABC 1 and kick-off is at 20:30.
