Bafana legends call on SA senior players to step up
Bafana Bafana legend Phil Masinga has called on the country's senior players to step up and be counted as Stuart Baxter's side face two must-win World Cup qualifiers against Senegal in the space of four days, if they are to make it on the plane to Russia 2018.
Phil Masinga. Picture: Gallo Images
Bafana have to get the three points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight and again in Dakar on Tuesday, against a side packed with overseas-based talent.
“It is a difficult one but I think the guys should do what they normally do, they have played in big games before,” said Masinga, whose goal against Congo-Brazzaville qualified Bafana for the 1998 Fifa World Cup.
“Players like Itumeleng Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala and the likes of Morgan Gould must make sure that they settle down the younger ones because that is exactly what was happening during our days where we had experienced players like Neil Tovey in our team and they helped us to settle down.”
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Another former Bafana striker, Pollen Ndlanya, believes Bafana can be a match for Senegal even though the Teranga Lions boast talents like Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
“Senegal have got quality players but we also have quality ourselves and we must not go there and play as if we are playing away,” he said.
“I don’t believe in this thing of physical advantage, although sometimes it is a factor, but it all goes down to playing the game the best way you know how and to be focused.”
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker also called on Baxter to be on top of his game like never before.
“The management and the coach need to be cautious because we don’t need any mistakes with this game. Once we commit a lot of mistakes we will be in trouble.”
