The pride of the pharaohs is at stake — and coach Ted Dumitru expects a fierce onslaught from Egypt when Bafana Bafana face the African Nations Cup hosts in a final warm-up encounter at the International Stadium in Cairo on Saturday.
”Like every host nation in a tournament of this nature,” said the Bafana coach, ”Egypt are making a special effort to achieve success on home soil — and they will be out to show what they are worth in what is the culmination of a seven-game build-up of international fixtures.”
Dumitru says he is familiar with the daunting experience of facing an Egyptian team at Cairo’s cavernous Mecca of sport — having been in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns when they were beaten by Al Ahly in the African Nations Cup final five seasons ago at the same venue.
The Bafana coach said he expects to field a ”shadow” line-up against Egypt before the opening African Nations Cup game against Guinea in Alexandria next Sunday.
”Naturally, a lot can happen between now and the game in Alexandria in 10 days, and there could be a couple of changes along the way. But I am looking to starting with what I consider the strongest Bafana line-up against Egypt,” added Dumitru.
Bafana have their last training session in South Africa on Thursday morning at the Sandton Sports Club in Johannesburg and leave for Egypt in the evening.
”Fortunately,” said Dumitru, ”the last couple of days of preparation have been injury-free and all 23 players are fit and raring to go for what is a crucial undertaking for South African soccer.” — Sapa