South Africa coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba says it is “make or break” for his charges in their back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Cameroon this month.
Bafana Bafana and the Indomitable Lions first meet on Saturday, 26 March 2016 at Stade Omnisport de Limbe in Limbe, Cameroon.
Kick-off for that clash is at 15h30 local time (16h30 South African time).
The two nations will then take their battle to Durban for the second leg which will be played three days later – Tuesday, 29 March 2016 – at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban which kicks off at 19h00.
The return leg marks a very important occasion for both countries as it was 24 years ago when the two nations first clashed in a match to mark South Africa’s readmission into the international fold.
Bafana won the international friendly match 1-0 through a Doctor Khumalo penalty in the 82nd minute at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium in Durban.
In seven matches, South Africa has only lost once to Cameroon with three wins and three draws – the 2-1 loss coming in their second meeting back in 1992 in Cape Town.
Mashaba has a mammoth task to get South Africa’s campaign back on the road after his men managed just one point from two matches.
“These two matches are almost a make-or-break for us. If we want to resurrect our campaign, these are the matches that we will have to do “well in,” said Mashaba, who named his 25-man squad at SAFA House on Thursday.
“I have heard people talking about must-win matches – and these are the ones. We have only one point and they have six, and to add salt to the wound, some of our key players are not active in their clubs, have lost form, are out injured or have just returned from injury. But that is no excuse, the show must go on. We have to put up a fight as though our lives depend on these matches. I believe we have selected a strong team that will deliver.”
Bafana last played a competitive match in November last year when they defeated Angola in back-to-back 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
“Unfortunately because of the non-availability of a FIFA date, we have not been able to prepare as thoroughly as we would have liked but lack of enough time to prepare should not blind from our mission, even though they have an edge over us as most of their players, if not all, ply their trade abroad and have been very active,” Mashaba added.
“I just hope the players are aware of what is at stake because these are no ordinary matches. Negative results will see us not active on the international scene for a long time, and if that is not motivation enough for boys to do well, then nothing will be. There are 12 points on offer and it’s up to us what we do with them. The reality is that it is still in our hands.”
Bafana will go into camp on Sunday, 20 March and are expected to depart for Limbe on Wednesday, 23 March.
South Africa is in Group M of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers with Cameroon, Gambia and Mauritania.
The Indomitable Lions lead the group with six points, three ahead of Mauritania. Bafana and Gambia have a point apiece.
The winner of the group will progress to the 16-nation AFCON finals, along with two best-placed runners up.
South Africa’s 2017 AFCON Results:
South Africa 0 – 0 Gambia 13 June 2015
(Durban)
Mauritania 3 – 1 South Africa 5 September 2015
(Nouakchott)
Remaining 2017 AFCON Fixtures:
Cameroon vs South Africa Saturday, 26 March 2016
(Limbe, Cameroon)
South Africa vs Cameroon Tuesday, 29 March 2016
(Durban)
Gambia vs South Africa 3, 4, 5 June 2016
South Africa vs Mauritius 2, 3, 4 September 2016
Group M Standings:
P W L D GF GA PTS
1. Cameroon 2 2 0 0 2 0 6
2. Mauritania 2 1 1 0 3 2 3
3. South Africa 2 0 1 1 1 3 1
4. Gambia 2 0 1 1 0 1 1
Courtesy: http://www.kick-off.com
The Guardian 