2018 African Cup Of Nations: Bafana Bafana Vs Libya

5 September 2018, by: Jimmy Tau

JIMMY TAU: BAFANA TO TURN THINGS AROUND

Bafana Bafana take on Libya in Durban on Saturday in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier..

Jimmy Tau looks ahead to the second qualifying game after Stuart Baxter’s men beat Nigeria 2-0 away in the first game last year..

We haven’t had good results of late. With all the excitement of the recent FIFA World Cup it was disappointing for our national team not to be a part it.

Bafana have got their work cut out to get positive results and get the fans back on side. With this home game to Libya there will be a lot of pressure as the expectations will be sky high.

The 2-0 win in Nigeria was the first step to qualification, but a home game against the other big team in our group is a vital one to win. Libya away will not be an easy game so it’s important to bank the points while on home soil.

When you are hosting you need a positive result especially as we still need to travel to Libya and the Seychelles.

Away games in Africa are never easy and this adds importance to Saturday’s result. A win away against Nigeria and a home win against Libya would add some breathing room should there be a fumble on the road.

We don’t know what to expect from the Seychelles. Bafana have been guilty of slipping up against smaller island nations with the home and away defeats to Cape Verde last year still fresh in the memory.

The coaching staff and Stuart Baxter are obviously under pressure after we failed to qualify for the World Cup and missed the last Africa Cup of Nations.

He won’t be helped by the injuries to Bongani Zungu, Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane, but the 22-players he has selected have enough quality to get the job done.

The fans in Durban will also play a big part as there is always a good turnout and supportive crowd down there. They have been starved of seeing Bafana Bafana in the big tournaments and will be right behind the boys on Saturday.

I’m right behind my team and am confident we’ll see them take another step towards qualification by getting the win.

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