Bafana Bafana are confident of tearing lesser-known Uganda to pieces during their World Cup qualifying match at Mandela Stadium in Kampala on Sunday.
Speaking after Wednesday’s training session at Johannesburg Stadium, South African captain Aaron Mokoena said they were ready to embarrass The Cranes in their own backyard.
”The preparations for the game against Uganda are going well. The good thing is that everybody was here in camp on the first day for the first time in many years.
”In the past we had problems of players arriving in dribs and drabs due to club commitments. The spirits are high and we are looking forward to getting a convincing win.”
The Belgium-based Mokoena will captain Bafana Bafana in the absence of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mbulelo Mabizela, who is serving a one-match suspension.
Coach Stuart Baxter said they were looking forward to reviving their hopes by beating Uganda, who are lying at the bottom of Group B log with four points from four matches.
Bafana Bafana were relegated to the fourth spot after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinsasha last month, where Kaizer Chiefs striker Kabamba Musasa scored the only goal.
”It will be a tough match because we have to beat Uganda. We will have some changes from the squad that played against the Democratic Republic of Congo in our match,” said Baxter.
”The worst affected department will be the defence but we have some good players like Nasief Morris and Cyril Nzama to do the job. Our preparations are going well and we are ready for Uganda.”
Sunday’s match will also see the return of midfielder Quinton Fortune after almost two seasons. The Manchester United player last featured for Bafana Bafana during the 2002 World Cup finals in Korea and Japan.
”I have always been available to represent my country. The problem is that I was never selected,” said Fortune, who has pledged to help Bafana Bafana revive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
Team manager Stan Tshabalala said Bafana Bafana will leave for Kampala on Friday at 2pm and return soon after Sunday’s match. – Sapa