Pitso Mosimane has called on Bafana Bafana to draw on their resilience when they face Kenya in a decisive Afcon qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday.
The match kicks off at 6pm SA time, four days after Kenya fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against Bafana at Orlando Amstel Arena.
Despite dropping two points at home, Bafana remain top of Group D and hold a one-point advantage over Guinea. However, the result has made their route to qualification more difficult, with only one team from the group set to qualify for next year’s Afcon.
Kenya have already secured their place as co-hosts of the tournament alongside fellow Pamoja nations Tanzania and Uganda.
Mosimane believes his squad has previously shown it can cope with setbacks and pressure, and expects those qualities to be evident in Nairobi.
“I think this team has enough character from the past to deal with something like this,” Mosimane said.
The coach pointed to Bafana’s World Cup qualifying campaign as evidence of their ability to overcome adversity. The team continued their push despite being deducted three points after fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Polokwane in March last year.
“They dealt with qualifying for the World Cup even though they were deducted three points [for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Polokwane in March last year]. I can deal with that they have character,” Mosimane said.
He also stressed that Bafana remain in control of their own position in Group D, although he acknowledged that the home draw against Kenya had complicated the campaign.
“I think we want to qualify the hard way. I think we want it the hard way. But for me, it’s to stay where we are on the log and finish where we are on the log,” Mosimane said.
Bafana’s priority is therefore to protect their lead and retain the position they have worked to establish. Mosimane said Tuesday’s fixture would provide an important test of the squad’s fighting spirit.
“So, it’s still in our hands, but it’s sad. It’s bitter, but it’s part of the game. Now we can see the character we have in the team. Can we fight? Can we stay where we are? Because we have worked hard to be where we are and with the centre-backs you might not like. But we are where we are.”
With Kenya already qualified as hosts, Bafana’s result in Nairobi could prove vital to their hopes of finishing at the top of the group and securing the qualifying place available from Group D.
Source: Sowetan
