”Beware the wounded animal,” warned Bafana Bafana general manager Stanley ”Screamer” Tshabalala before Wednesday night’s (2am Thursday SA time) Concacaf Gold Cup game against a down-in-the-dumps Guatemala at Houston’s Reliance Stadium.
What seemed to concern Tshabalala most during a telephone interview from the United States was that Guatemala, after successive defeats in the two opening games assured an early elimination from the Gold Cup, are now derided as no-hopers in the same way Bafana were before the tournament started.
”Bafana turned the tables on Mexico in our opening fixtures when no-one gave us a chance of winning,” said Tshabalala.
”If we don’t heed the lesson not to take victory for granted, Guatemala could do the same to us with their pride and respect now on the line.”
While Bafana are assured of a place in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, the Guatemala game is crucial in deciding the final positions in Group C and consequently who South Africa’s next opponents will be.
”Beating Guatemala and winning the group would ensure a much easier quarterfinal”, said Tshabalala.”
Losing and finishing third could result in a tough game against opponents of the calibre of the United States.”
Tshabalala revealed there were unlikely to be any major changes to the line-up that drew 3-3 with Jamaica on Sunday, although indisposed goalkeeper Calvin Marlin was sure to be back in action and acting captain Pa Gaxa was a doubtful starter after a red-carding against the Mexicans.
”We have appealed against Gaxa’s suspension,” said Tshabalala, ”on the basis that the first yellow card he received was for a frivolous offence. But at this point we’ve had no news on the verdict”.
Guatemala have been one of the disappointments of the Gold Cup thus far, but they have a reputation of being an unpredictable team and a Fifa ranking of 59 indicates they are not opponents who can be dismissed lightly.
Tshabalala said weather conditions in Houston were oppressively hot and humid and the stadium for the Guatemala game has a retractable roof –”but barring a hurricane or something of the sort,” added the Bafana general manager, ”I don’t expect the game to be played under cover.” ‒ Sapa