Bafana Bafana must find a cure for their ”travel sickness” before they tackle Sierra Leone in Freetown in their 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday. Kick-off is at 5.30pm South African time.
Bafana have not won an away match for almost a year, and this is a concern for new coach Joel Santana ahead of what promises to be a tough encounter in the Sierra Leone capital in a country that is slowly trying to recover from civil war.
Bafana’s last away win was against minnows Mauritius in a Cosafa Cup clash played in neighbouring Swaziland on May 27 2007, where emerging midfield powerhouse Teko Modise announced his international presence by scoring both goals in that 2-0 win.
After losing away to Nigeria 2-0 in the opening Group Four qualifier two weeks ago, Bafana bounced back on Saturday with a stunning 4-1 thumping of outclassed Equatorial Guinea at the Super Stadium.
But warning signs went up when the Super Eagles struggled to a 1-0 win over the Leone Stars in Freetown, also played on Saturday.
Bafana team manager Sipho Nkumane, who left on Sunday for the Sierra Leone capital to make sure Bafana’s hotel accommodation and training facilities were in order, said the fact that Nigeria struggled to beat bottom-of-the-group Leone Stars is a warning to Bafana.
Bafana strolled to an easy win against Equatorial Guinea.
Said Nkumane: ”We played superbly against Equatorial Guinea but we have struggled away from home. Our away record is poor and that must be improved. The fact we have not won away for so long is a big worry.
”We need to rectify that state of affairs. We need to continue where we left off against Equatorial Guinea and make sure we stay on track to qualify for the 2010 Afcon finals in Angola. But the fact Nigeria only won 1-0 and easily beat us is a warning that we are not going to have it easy.”
But playing in a former war zone will not be a major worry for Bafana players said Nkumane.
Bafana came through with flying colours when they beat Burundi five years ago while there was a civil war in that country. Bafana defeated Burundi in war-torn Bujumbura in July 2003.
The national team manager explained: ”The players are used to hostile crowds and receptions in other African countries. As long as the players’ mental approach is good, then the battle is halfway won.”
Nkumane pointed out that Bafana host Sierra Leone at the Super Stadium on June 21, adding that this underlines how important it is to secure three points.
Said Nkumane: ”At home, and especially at the Super Stadium, we are having a good run. If we can end the four back-to-back qualifiers this month with nine points then we are much closer to qualifying for Angola.”
Bafana fly out to Freetown on a 10-hour charter flight on Wednesday. They will train in Freetown on Thursday afternoon to get used to playing conditions there.
Santana knows that after losing both opening qualifiers, Sierra Leone have to go for broke to regain their pride and to give themselves a last chance of qualifying for Angola. He will use the same side that defeated Equatorial Guinea on condition both central defenders are fit.
There are still doubts over the fitness of captain Aaron Mokoena and Bevan Fransman, who were both injured against Equatorial Guinea.
The team doctor was due to examine both defenders later on Monday before the squad had a closed gym session in Pretoria.
Said Nkumane: ”The reports I had before I left Johannesburg were positive on both players, but the doctor will issue a bulletin later on Monday.”
Soccer is the most popular sport in Sierra Leone. The war-ravaged country, which is healing under a new democracy, has never qualified for the World Cup but participated in the 1994 and 1996 African Nations cups. — Sapa