Bafana Bafana to take on Socceroos
Bafana will play against Australia and New Zealand this week.
DESPITE the fact that some of the regular Bafana Bafana players will not be available to play Down Under, Head coach Gordon Igesund is quite positive about his team’s chances.
He has been forced to make a number of changes to the squad scheduled to play Australia and New Zealand next week.
Bafana Bafana takes on the Socceroos of Australia on May 26 in Sydney and travel to Auckland for a date with New Zealand on May 30.
Coach Gordon Igesund said that while the withdrawals had somehow affected his plans, he was still confident that those selected would do the country proud.
“I have put together a big squad of around 34, which is young and excited about playing for the country, so those who I have called as replacements are part of that broader squad. They are very capable players.
“All these players are part of the group that should participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches for 2015 in Morocco. This is an opportunity for those selected to raise their hands and be counted. They are young and should compete,” said Igesund.
The Bafana Bafana coach said there was little he could do about injuries, but added he had confidence in those selected.
“It has been a long season for most of these players and there is little I can do about injuries. Injuries are part of the game of football and there is no one to be blamed for that,” he said.
Bafana Bafana leaves for Australia on Thursday May 22 and plays the Socceroos on May 26, before proceeding to New Zealand for a date with the New Zealanders on May 30. The matches will be played in Sydney and Auckland respectively.
The squad returns home on 1 June 2014.
Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa from the South-based PSL club Orlando Pirates gets his chance in the goals, while other players from the South include Thabo Matlaba, Oupa Manyisa, Kermit Erasmus, also from Pirates, while Erick Mathoho from Kaizer Chiefs will also travel with Bafana.
