Share

MAYIHLOME, BAFANA!

accreditation
Bafana Bafana nimble midfielder, Percy Tau (left), will again engage against his Libyan opponent Sand Masaud Masaud in Sfax, Tunisia on Sunday.   Photos by Themba Makofane and      Backpagepix
Bafana Bafana nimble midfielder, Percy Tau (left), will again engage against his Libyan opponent Sand Masaud Masaud in Sfax, Tunisia on Sunday. Photos by Themba Makofane and Backpagepix

THE moment of truth has arrived for Bafana Bafana!

They face Libya in Sfax, Tunisia, on Sunday (6pm), in a game that holds their golden ticket to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Egypt in June.

Stuart Baxter’s team need a draw in their ultimate Group E fixture against the Mediterranean Knights to qualify.

But will they grab the ticket? Or will they give yet another continental showpiece a miss?

Baxter has a lot riding on this game, being fully aware that this match could define his Bafana tenure.

The Scot has already indicated his reign could end with failure to qualify South Africa for the 2019 finals in Egypt.

There’s no doubt he knows the score after he couldn’t take Mzansi to the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

“My greatest motivation is to see the people enjoying their national team and taking pride in the team,” said Baxter.

“If we do not qualify, certainly, certainly, I will tell Safa that you had better make sure you really want me to carry on because I will walk if you want.”

A lot of preparation has gone into this do-or-die clash, including Baxter setting up early camp in Tunis for his players to adjust to unfamiliar conditions.

The camp, however, moves to Sfax where they will train at Taieb Mhiri Stadium tomorrow – the venue for Sunday’s game.

Midfield anchor Kamohelo Mokotjo has praised the idea to have the camp in Tunisia, saying they have adjusted to foreign conditions.

“That’s more than enough time for us to get desired results,” said Mokotjo.

“We are focusing on the here now and not in the past.”

Libya are not far from home in Sfax, their chosen venue for the match due to civil unrest in Tripoli. They are a typical North African team strong in defence, fluid in midfield and sharp upfront.

Said Baxter: “They have influential midfielders, experienced players at the back and have that pivotal striker they always look for upfront. But their strength is that they’re a team. They work for each other.”

It goes without saying Percy Tau is a focal point in Bafana’s attack and Libya will do everything to throw him off the game. But there’s also the goal-poaching Lebo Mothiba upfront, as well as Lebohang Maboe, Thembinkosi Lorch and Themba Zwane for extra options in attack.

Get the best in Soccer, News and Lifestyle content with SNL24 PLUS
For 14 free days, you can have access to the best from Soccer Laduma, KickOff, Daily Sun, TrueLove and Drum. Thereafter you will be billed R29 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
Subscribe to SNL24 PLUS
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
What do you value most personally?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Earning tons of money
27% - 4 votes
Career Progression
7% - 1 votes
Work-Life balance
67% - 10 votes
Vote
Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make dailysun.co.za even better!

Learn more
Do you have a story for the People’s Paper?

Click below to contact our news desk and share your story with SunLand!

Let's do it!