Weather could be Bafana’s friend

Kamohelo Mokotjo is hopeful the damp and chilly conditions in Tunisia can help Bafana Bafana as they seek the result on Sunday against Libya in Sfax that will get them to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Bafana trained in the rain in Tunis yesterday, and were expected to move to Sfax later, with the game against Libya to take place at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri on Sunday (kick-off 7pm SA time). The match is being played in Tunisia because of civil unrest in Libya.

South Africa need only a point to go through and should be assisted by having an in-form Mokotjo in their side, the midfielder coming off a fine run of games for Brentford in the English Championship. The conditions in England should also be similar to those in Tunisia, if the weather remains the same.

“I think it is an advantage for all our players, the more rain the better, the wetter the pitch is the better, because we play a quick style of football,” said Mokotjo.

“Whether it rains or is sunny (however) it doesn’t make a difference, what we want is the result that will get us into the Afcon.”

Mokotjo believes Bafana can handle the expectation on them this Sunday, with defeat sending Libya to the Nations Cup finals in Bafana’s place.

“We deal with pressure by forgetting the past and staying in the here and now … we have played them (Libya) before, and know how we want to set up. We have had a week to prepare, which is more than enough time for us to get the desired result.”

Bafana drew 0-0 with Libya in Durban, and captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has stressed the importance of keeping it solid at the back again on Sunday.

“Defensively we have been doing well in all the qualifiers, and this is the last game … so we want to make sure we keep a clean sheet. The only goal against us so far was from one of our players,” said Hlatshwayo, in reference to Buhle Mkhwanazi’s own goal against Nigeria in November.

“We know how important the game is … as much as we need a draw or a win, we want to come back with the best result (a win),” added Hlatshwayo.

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