Bafana Bafana will be out to protect their unbeaten record when they face Swaziland in an international friendly match scheduled for the Somhlolo Stadium in the capital Mbabane on Friday. Kickoff at 8:30pm.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two nations – the previsous three have been in the Cosafa Cup.
South Africa and Swaziland first met 13 years ago in Witbank with Bafana Bafana emerging victorious 2-0.
The second clash took place two years later in Polokwane, South Africa winning 4-1.
The last official encounter was played seven years ago. Benson Mhlongo scored the solitary goal in a match held in Botswana.
Siphiwe Tshabalala is only remaining member of that squad – having come on in the 78th minute for Dillon Sheppard.
“That we have played them three times and won does not automatically make us winners again. We are expectign a tough match, more so because it is an away game. We have to be very cautious not to underestimate them but strive to do our best to win the match,” said Tshabalala.
Bafana will be playing on an artificial turf at Somhlolo Stadium.
Coach Gordon Igesund is using the match to prepare for the Chan tournament that will be hosted in South Africa from 11 January – 1 February 2014.
“We should have a good game and I don’t think the ranking will be an issue because international footobal has changed a lot. This is a going to be a good exercise for us as we prepare for Chan. I am trying to give as a many players a chance as possible because I have a big pool of players lining up to play in the Chan tournament and I have to select 23 that will represent South Africa,” said Igesund.
”So I am going to field a strong squad because I don’t want to disrecpect anybody but just want to win the match and get my preparations for Chan going. We would like to score as many goals as possible. The players that are here are fighting for their places which will make this match even more exciting.”
Defender Thabo Nthete is also confident about a positive outcome.
“We are going to approach this game like any other game, wanting to win. We know we are playing away so they are not going to make it easy for us more so with all the support behind them in the stands. and its going to be tough with all your supporters behind you. But I do believe we have the quality to get a positive result against Swaziland,” said Nthete.
Bafana held their last training at the match venue last night.
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