Support Bafana in Polokwane Friday
Bafana Bafana are already in town for a rematch against Senegal for the 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex on Friday evening.
POLOKWANE – The two teams played last year on 12 November at the same venue and Bafana Bafana won 2-1, but it was later revealed the Ghanaian referee who officiated the match was biased, to which Fifa reacted by suspending him after he was found guilty of unduly influencing the results of the match.
Joseph Lamptey, the referee, was banned for life and his appeal against his life ban failed.
Fifa then ordered a replay match following the confirmation by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (Cas) that the lifetime ban was official and warranted.
Friday’s game is scheduled to start at 19:00 with Bafana Bafana sitting at the bottom of its group with four points.
Bafana Bafana Coach, Stuart Baxter, said he is confident the boys will beat Senegal. He also expressed his concerns about Bafana Bafana’s number one goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, who injured himself when his team, Kaizer Chiefs, played against Chippa United in the quarterfinal match of the Telkom Cup on Sunday, which the former won by 1-0.
Khune was carried off the pitch to hospital.
Baxter said they are still waiting for the doctor to confirm Khune’s avability and readiness to play.
Baxter added: “The Senegal team is a good side, make no mistake about that. They are young and have been improving with each match they play, so we will not underestimate them. We are going to take this match seriously and give Senegal a good run for their money.”
The 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations champions, Bafana Bafana, need a win in both their remaining qualifier matches to boost their chances of booking a spot to compete in Russia next year.
Baxter recalled experienced players such as Kaizer Chief midfielder, Siphiwe Tshabalala, and Dino Ndlovu who he said will help the team to win the match.
The final Bafana Bafana squad is: Wayne Sandilands, Ronwen Williams and Itumeleng Khune as goalkeepers; Defenders are Thamsanqa Mkhize, Clayton Daniels, Eric Mathoho, Motjeka Madisha, Morgan Gould, Thulani Hlatshayo (Captain), Tebogo Langerman and Sifiso Hlanti; Midfielders are Hlompho Kekana, Dean Furman, Keagan Dolly, Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Themba Zwane, Phakamani Mahlambi, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Lebogang Manyama; Strikers are Percy Tau, Bradley Grobler, Dino Ndlovu and Bongani Zungu.
