SEDIBENNG.- Much has been said and written about Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat against Mali in their opening African Cup of Nations campaign in Group E on Tuesday.
The talking point was Percy Tau’s penalty miss and some of the players that didn’t come to the party.
However, former Bafana Bafana dreadlocked midfielder, Augustine Makalakalane, is confident that South Africa will go beyond the group stages. Bafana had a great start in the first half but missed clear-cut chances with Tau being the main culprit.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, after the Bafana Bafana and Mali game, Makalakalane said he does not doubt that Bafana Bafana will go to knock-out stages if they play as a unit. Bafana Bafana will play against Namibia in their next AFCON game on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 20:00.
Makalakalane was part of the Bafana Bafana team that won the 1996 AFCON here in South Africa, by beating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.
“I do not doubt that Bafana Bafana will win the two remaining games against Namibia and Tunisia. But they (Bafana Bafana) will achieve that if they can play as a team (unit) and put their club’s differences aside. I’m happy with Hugo Broos’ selection, especially by selecting ten players from Mamelodi Sundowns because of their CAF experience. But like I said, they must play as a unit and I have no doubt we can beat those two countries,” said Makalakalane.
But having said this, Makalakalane warned that there are no longer small countries when it comes to AFCON. He said for the fact that they qualified for AFCON they must be treated with respect.
