Under-23 skipper Johannes confident ahead of Congo return leg

Following an unexpected draw at home to Congo-Brazzaville in the first leg of their Caf Olympic qualifier, South Africa Under-23 captain Keagan Johannes is positive that they can get a victory away from home.

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Johannes and his teammates will meet Congo in the return leg at Massamba-Debat Stadium on Monday. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Dobsonville Stadium on Thursday, in a tie that the junior Bafana Bafana could have easily won, but missed a lot of opportunities.

Johannes says that the heads of the players are not down.

“I think we started the game well. I think throughout the first half we got a bit anxious like the coach said and we started playing a game that favoured them, and obviously that was not part of our game plan,” said Johannes.

“In the second half we started playing a bit more and that gave us more momentum because we played the style that we know favoured us,” said Johannes, who plays his football for SuperSport United.

“The result was obviously not what we wanted. But it’s not over and we will go there, believe in what we have and in our talent. The guys are more than capable of going out there and winning.”

READ MORE: SA Under-23 held to draw by Congo in Olympic qualifier

Afcon place up for grabs

The winner of this tie will qualify for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in Morocco in June, and knowing how important this match is, head coach David Notoane has remained confident of getting the job done.

“We are a team that always scores goals and that gives me confidence to say we can go (to Congo) and turn the tie around. We scored two away goals in Togo, so who says we can’t go to Congo and score a goal? I think we are worthy of at least one goal, which could be enough to take us through. I think we can get two or three, (goals),” said Notoane.