Bafana hold all the keys to victory
AS unpredictable as Bafana Bafana have been, their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Angola this afternoon isn’t a match you should expect them to struggle to put to bed. South Africa’s record against the Palancas Negras remains intact even after last month’s African Nations Championship (Chan) defeat.
Shakes Mashaba’s men should hold all the aces to unlocking Angola in Benguela and again in Durban for the return leg four days later. Just in case they have misplaced some of the crucial information, here are three things Bafana would do well to have in their locker if they are to progress to the group stages of their World Cup qualification journey. It is rare for Bafana to have an almost flawless history against any opposition, and a single defeat in 10 games against the automatically makes them favourites in this afternoon’s qualifier. They are Angola’s bogey side if you like, having beaten them six times and playing to three draws. One of those victories was recent – away from home in Luanda during the second leg of their Chan qualifier. Bafana were booted out of the less prestigious continental tournament, but, using a large pool of bench warmers at PSL level, were still able to hastle their counterparts.
It is even more encouraging to know that Angola only made a few changes to that same team because the majority of their full-strength squad is made up of locally based players. Bafana have only retained goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands – a late inclusion this time because of an injury to regular Itumeleng Khune.
BAFANA ARE BETTER BALL PLAYERS