Group C – South Africa (SA) senior men’s national soccer team is in Ghana to compete for its place in the Cameroon 2021 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) edition.
The first Bafana Bafana (SA) Afcon qualification game scheduled against the gritty Black Stars (Ghana) will be held at Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana Thursday Nov. 14, 2019 at 21h00 (SA time).
Drawn in the same group with SA and Ghana are Sudan hosting Sao Tome E. Principe at Al-Hilal Stadium Wednesday Nov. 13 at 21h00 – tonight. Their outcome in today’s (Group C) Afcon qualifier will be fascinating to watch before the second games on Sunday and Monday respectively.
According to GhanaWeb Andre Ayew, Ghana captain, said Nov. 12, 2019: “We have a big task ahead of us. South Africa is a very tough team. A very hard one.” However, he showed resolve by adding that “We are Ghana, we are at home.” Again, Ayew sounded a bit worried about the few days of preparations they had. Yet, he retorted with: “no excuse, we have to get three points.”
His cohort, Dean Furman, Bafana Bafana skipper, yesterday said that the travel from SA to Accra, the capital city of Ghana, was a “long journey” but favourably all players are in the (Cape Coast) camp which took two and a half hours extra from the capital. Reassuringly confident, he dropped a hint that players were smiling ear-to-ear ahead of the “difficult game” against Ghana.
Furthermore, the SA captain said they are looking forward to come away with something. To start on high, Furman said “a win will be fantastic. A point will be a great result because Ghana is also a top nation in this continent. We know them pretty well” with top European-based players, he continued.
On Sunday Nov. 17, 2019 Bafana Bafana will be back home for the second Group C Afcon clash against Sudan at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg; kick off will be at 15h00. In the same vein, on Monday Nov. 18 Sao Tome E. Principe will welcome Ghana at Stade Nacional 12 de Julho Stadium at 16h00.
The national team has “to be mentally ready,” SA head coach Molefi Ntseki addressed the media according to SAFA.net ahead of the forthcoming two pivotal Afcon qualifiers – Ghana and Sudan – in four (4) days period. He also confirmed that Kaizer Chiefs speedy attacker Lebohang Manyama replaced the injured Mamelodi Sundowns midfield maestro Themba Zwane after receiving a medical report from the club.
The Black Stars are not without jitters in their own camp. GhanaWeb reported Tuesday Nov. 12 that:
“[Ghana] Head coach Kwesi Appiah invited 21 players for the games against South Africa and Sao Tome Principe but he will not have all players available as injuries have ruled out four[4].”
According to the site, Appiah replaced only two of the injured four players: i.e. Harrison Afful and Mubarak Wakaso with Fatawu Mohammed and Gideon Mensah. While three players were forced out by injuries, one of them [Antwi-Adjei] did not receive his passport on time due to incomplete permit procedures because he was born in Germany, reported the site.
The Ghana face-off will be the first official competitive match for Ntseki as Bafana Bafana begin their qualifying 2021 Afcon campaign. In his first match, SA claimed the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup in a 2-1 friendly match against Mali on Oct. 13 in Port Elizabeth. However, Afcon qualifiers are a different ball game and the intensity tends to higher.
Ghana’s strategy is to “block” South Africa’s exploits and tap into “our” attributes to get maximum points, said Ayew. To counter any resistance from the strong Ghanaians, Furman said the night conditions will be ideal for them to play without fear but “speed and intensity”.
Latest SA Squad for Ghana-Sudan Fixtures as Published by SAFA.net:
GOALKEEPERS:
1. Darren Keet – OH Leuven FC (Belgium)
2. Ronwen William – Supersport United FC (SA)
3. Ricardo Goss – Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
DEFENDERS:
4. Erick Mathoho – Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
5. S’fiso Hlanti – Bidvest Wits (SA)
6. Buhle Mkhwanazi – Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
7. Thulani Hlatshwayo (C) – Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
8. Thapelo Morena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
9. Thamsanqa Mkhize – Cape Town City FC (SA)
10. Innocent Maela – Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
11. Mosa Lebusa – Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)
MIDFIELDERS:
12. Kamohelo Mokotjo – Brentfort FC (England)
13. Bongani Zungu – Amiens FC (France)
14. Thato Mokeke – Cape Town City FC (SA)
15. Dean Furman – Supersport United FC (SA)
16. Lebohang Phiri – Guingamp FC (France)
17. Mothobi Mvala – Highlands Park FC (SA)
18. Lebogang Manyama – Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
19. Thembinkosi Lorch – Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
20. Percy Tau – Club Brugge FC (Belgium)
21. Thulani Serero – Al Jazira FC (Abu Dhabi)
22. Aubrey Modiba – Supersport United FC (SA)
FORWARDS:
23. Lebo Mothiba – Strasbourg FC (France)
24. Bradley Grobler – Supersport United FC (SA)
25. Kermit Erasmus – Cape Town City FC (SA)