BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana caretaker coach Steve Komphela has appealed for support all round for the national team ahead of their crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifier against Botswana.
The match will be played on Saturday, 9 June 2012 at the University of Botswana in the capital Gaborone.

Kickoff is at 15h00.

Komphela takes over temporarily after former coach Pitso Mosimane and the South African Football Association (SAFA) agreed to part ways amicably last night (Monday, 4 June).

The former Bafana Bafana captain addressed the media at the team’s training camp at the Royal Marang Sports Complex in Phokeng near Rustenburg on Tuesday morning.

He outlined the following points:

             1. We request support for the players as this is all our team. We quickly need to forget the past       errors, we need to release the burden of the past so we can travel lighter to the future. Let’s try to travel faster forward there is not time to waste
             2. Trust our resilience – we need to be more resilient and try to see the tough times through because it’s not only tough for the players, but even for us the technical team and the nation. We need to go through that period and it is only normal to try to overcome it
            3. As the technical team the only way we will get stronger is when we get your support – support not only from the players but also from the Association, media and public
            4. We need to stay current, be realistic and understand that we have a huge task and responsibility to qualify the country for 2014 in Brazil

Komphela will be assisted by Jairo Leal.

“The biggest challenge this morning was to get everybody in the right frame of mind. It is a huge task but we are getting there. We have to confess we have professionals, people who understand that even though some things change, they still need to perform. We are happy and pleased to say we will give the best of preparations and get the best of results in pursuit of qualification in Brazil,” said Komphela.

The caretaker coach also showered Mosimane with praises.

“Pitso did a lot of good work, and we appreciate what we have here. With your support and a bit of positive attitude that is prompt, we shall get a result. We cannot become a bad team overnight. We have played some of the best football just that we don’t take our chances. We will release our energies and be more positive, get the attitude right and try to win the match (against Botswana). There is very little you can do in terms of being better than you were yesterday but I am optimistic we will get a result,” he added.

Captain Steven Pienaar was also positive after the team got off to a slow start in the qualifiers.
 “The players are feeling down, and it’s normal after losing your coach but we are all professionals and it happens in football. We are all looking forward to the next few games and we have to lift ourselves up again mentally and physically more so because the results in the last game were not good enough. I just want to wish the coach (Mosimane) all the best in future,” said Pienaar.

“As  a team it is behind us now, we have to support the new coach one hundred percent and respect him as a person. He has been with Bafana Bafana for a few good years.

“The players know the importance of the match on Saturday so we have to stay focussed. We let our families down, the supporters and the whole country so it’s time for us to start winning games and make everyone happy again.  There’s a lot of pride to play for because you don’t want to lose to your neighbours. Also, there’s still a lot to play for,” added the midfielder.

Meanwhile Katlego Mphela suffered a bruise on the right thigh in Sunday’s clash against Ethiopia but was able to train with his teammates. He will be under medical observation.

Tsepo Masilela has been withdrawn from the camp after sustaining a knee injury in the match on Sunday, and will have to undergo an operation. No replacement will be called up.

Thulani Serero is back in the squad after a family bereavement.