Bafana Bafana are determined to wipe away the memory of their recent 3-0 defeat against Ghana in Kumasi and get their 2006 World Cup campaign back on track.
After a number of setbacks this week it was down to serious business in preparing for Saturday’s key World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso at the FNB stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Bafana’s new skipper, Aaron Mokoena, said the spirit in the camp is high and that the players aim to redeem themselves after the defeat in Ghana.
”We know we played badly against Ghana. We also know we have to beat Burkina Faso,” said Belgium-based Mokoena after coach Stuart Baxter had put his players through their paces at the FNB stadium on Wednesday.
Baxter said he was disappointed by the way Bafana had capitulated against Ghana and promised more fire against Burkina Faso: ”No person enjoys losing but it was the way we went down so tamely that worried and annoyed me.”
Baxter was hard at work on Wednesday encouraging and trying to fix the mistakes that were made against Ghana.
But he has two worries. Defender Neil Winstanley has a thigh injury and the national coach is concerned over German-based wingback Bradley Carnell’s match fitness. Carnell returns after a series of injuries that have sidelined him at club and international level.
Bafana have played Burkina Faso three times. Two encounters ended in draws with Bafana winning the other match 1-0.
Bafana eliminated Burkina Faso from the 2002 World Cup, winning the prelimianry tie 2-1 on aggregate. Bafana went on to qualify for the World Cup finals in Asia in 2002.
The other time the countries met was in the 2002 African Nations Cup finals when the tournament was hosted by Burkina Faso. The teams drew 0-0 in the group stages with Bafana finishing as runners up to Egypt. — Sapa