PREMIUM!
Khune still doubtful for Senegal clash
It is actually simple what Bafana Bafana have to do in tomorrow night's 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Senegal's Lions of Teranga at the Peter Mokaba Stadium – they have to win by hook but not crook like the last time.
Itumeleng Khune. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.
Fifa ordered a rematch of the fixture which was played a year ago after it was found that the now banned Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey influenced the result.
The order meant Bafana were docked the three points and they did themselves a huge disservice when they lost both matches against Cape Verde in September which relegated them to a single point in Group D, after which they got themselves back in conten tion by beating Burkina Faso last month.
Now Bafana have to win both at home and away against the Sadio Mane-led Senegalese side and defender Morgan Gould revealed yesterday that coach Stuart Baxter had devised a plan and all they have to do is execute it.
“As it has been said that if we are serious about going to Russia … we are definitely serious. We have a plan. The technical team are working hard. As players we know what to do,” said the SuperSport United defender.
READ: It is impossible to tell if Khune will play or not – Baxter
Gould is likely to be called upon to marshal the defence after doing a plausible job in the win over Burkina Faso. It is not clear though whether Baxter will bring Erick Mathoho back or continue with the Gould/Clayton Daniels partnership at the back.
“Whoever gets the call to start has do give their all. We have to ensure we go to the next match with a positive result which is a win,” said Gould.
“We need to be aware that they are not minnows. They are a seasoned team and we have to be at our best.”
It remains unclear whether Mane will be fit for Senegal, and Gould said they are not putting too much focus on what happens in the Lions of Teranga camp.
READ: Khune to train with a mask ahead of Senegal clash
“I wouldn’t know what is going on in their camp. Whoever plays for them will also be giving their best. We are focusing on ourselves,” said the 34-year-old.
Baxter, meanwhile, revealed that it was impossible for them to know if popular keeper Itumeleng Khune would play as he is nursing a chin fracture.
“His vision is not greatly impaired, but we don’t know how a mask will impair that or how he will feel banging around on the ground,” cautioned Baxter.
READ: Lentjies responds to criticism against him for Khune injury
