Auckland – Bafana Bafana players are confident that this group of youngsters will usher in a new era for South African football going forward.

Ayanda Patosi, Thulani Serero and Bongani Zungu, all believe that it would not be long before Bafana Bafana supporters put on broad smiles once more.

They also believe the Australasia tour was vital to harden the young players in preparation for vigorous travels on the continent during the upcoming 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

In the first match of the qualifiers, South Africa is away to Sudan in Khartoum and Patosi said this Australasian trip could not have come at a better time.

“This was a great outing. It is priceless to play such games away from home. These are ideal preparations to gear oneself for hostile reception whenever one plays away from home,” said Patosi who scored a memorable goal in Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 international friendly draw against World Cup-bound Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Monday (26 May).

The South African Senior Men’s National Team takes on New Zealand on Friday night (30 May) at 19h30 local time in Auckland (09h30 SA time) at MT Smart Stadium before returning home on Saturday.

“These away matches will also help give the boys the much-needed experience, we need that. Most of the guys in the team are talented but have never been exposed to intimidating crowds away from South Africa. When playing the qualifiers, one needs to be as tough as tick,” added Patosi with a smile.

Attacking midfielder, Thulani Serero who seems to have assumed the overall leadership role within the team on this tour, said the only thing this squad needs was to remain grounded.

“I am really chaffed with what I have seen from these young guys. Most are eager to learn and they know if they keep their feet on the ground, the sky is the limit,” said the linkman who was voted Ajax Amsterdam best player in the recently ended season in which they won the Dutch title.

“On a personal note I had a good season. I have been playing regularly and it would be nice if I grow from strength to strength going forward.”

Bongani Zungu said the secret to every team’s success is ambition and hunger to do well.

“We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the hunger,” Zungu said at the team’s base in Takapuna, north of Auckland.

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder added that the youthful squad wanted to win at all costs and was putting extra work into their game.

“If you work hard, put on extra work in whatever you do, all things will come together,” he said.
-TDN
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