The pivotal game against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Bafana Bafana must draw to ensure qualification for next year’s African Nations Cup tournament in Egypt, will be played at Durban’s King’s Park Stadium on October 8.
The venue decision, which has been likened to ”taking coals to Newcastle” in view of Durban weather resembling that of the DRC more so than that of any other prospective venue in South Africa, was confirmed on Sunday by Bafana coach Stuart Baxter.
Baxter indicated the decision had been taken by Safa in consultation with the South African squad’s technical team.
In order to suffer the ignominy of failing to qualify for the African Nations Cup for the first time since 1994, Bafana will have to lose the Durban ”sweat showdown” and Burkina Fasa will need to win an away tie against Uganda.
Ghana, the DRC and Burkina Faso will, in all likelihood, emerge as the three teams from a six-team qualifying group who will go to Egypt.
Baxter, however, said the situation remained hazy as to what criterion would apply if Bafana and Burkina Faso finished with the same number of points behind Ghana and the DRC.
”But we should not be thinking about what will happen if we lose,” said the Bafana coach, ”but taking the bull by the horns and doing what is in our own hands to qualify for the Nations Cup”.
South Africa have already dropped out of contention to qualify for next year’s World Cup Finals from the group, with Ghana strong favourites and the DRC barely clinging to a slim chance of going to Germany.
A victory against the DRC will ensure South Africa finish second in the group and a draw will make certain of South Africa going to the African Nations Cup as the third-placed team in the qualifying group. – Sapa