The odds are heavily stacked against the South African national under-23 soccer team, AmaGlug-Glug, who will face Zambia in the Athens Olympics second-leg qualifier in Zambia on February 21.
They failed to take advantage of the cash-strapped Zambians and instead the Sasol-sponsored local team were beaten 1-0 in front of their vociferous fans last month.
The Zambians, who travelled by road to the match due to financial constrains, showed great determination to reach the Olympics. The Olympics are the biggest platform for any up-and-coming sport personalities to show their talent and could lead to lucrative contracts from foreign talent scouts.
The South African coach, Continental Kubheka, could also be on his way out, especially if he fails to guide his charges to the Olympics.
A loss against Zambia will signal the end of their campaign. AmaGlug-Glug, who have played three matches, are the tailenders in Group D with only three points.
Their remaining two matches after the decider against Zambia at the Nchanga Stadium in Chingola will be two second-leg clashes against Ghana at home (March 13) and an away game with Algeria (March 28).
A victory against Zambia will put them in second spot with six points.
Currently Algeria are leading the pack with six points. The two sides will be separated by their goal difference.
The Ghanaians are placed second and Zambia third. Although the two teams share four points each, they are separated by goal difference.
Kubheka, who announced his 18-member squad on Thursday, said they would leave for Zambia on Friday.
”I preferred to do all what I have to do here at home,” he said.
He said medical research had shown that it was far better for a participant in any sport to arrive in a foreign country a day before the competition.
He said he had assembled the best possible squad.
”It’s the critical moment for us and I will drum into the players’ minds the importance of a victory,” he said.
”We made things difficult for ourselves when we gifted them an easy goal at home. We now have to go difficult route of beating them in their home ground.”
The acting CEO of the South African Football Association, Albert Mokoena, assured Kubheka’s charges of complete support from his association.
”We want to thank all the teams in the PSL [Premier Soccer League] for their cooperation. All the players that Conti wanted have been released. We hope that we will continue to obtain your unqualified support throughout this Olympic campaign.”
AmaGlug-Glug will assemble at the Milpark Holiday Inn on Tuesday. — Sapa