Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Bafana in must win game against Ghana

South Africa and Ghana will put their friendship aside when they meet in a crucial 2015 African Cup of Nations, Group C match at the Stade de Mongomo on Tuesday evening. Kick-off is at 8pm, live 
Having struck up an alliance during the 2010 Fifa World Cup on South Africa soil, the two countries will put their friendly relationship on hold when they meet in a do-or-die Group C encounter.
Bafana Bafana head into the game knowing they need nothing but a win, while they will also be relying on a favour from Senegal, if they were to progress to the quarterfinals of the competition in Equatorial Guinea.
Shakes Mashaba's men looked set to continue their fine run of form leading into to the tournament having gone 1-0 up against Algeria in their opening game, but a missed penalty followed by an own goal and some goalkeeping errors saw South Africa lose 3-1.
The defeat was followed by a 1-1 draw against the Lions of Teranga leaving Bafana Bafana bottom of their group and on the brink of elimination.
If South Africa were to progress they will need to beat the Black Stars who themselves are in need of all three points to ensure progression.
Avram Grant's men lost 2-1 to Senegal in their opening match, but bounced back against the Fennec Foxes thanks to a stoppage time winner from talisman Asamoah Gyan.
Grant believes his charges must play over and above themselves if they are to book a place in the next round.
“Nothing has been decided yet in this group,” said the former Chelsea manager following their win over Algeria.
“Yes, we may have beaten the number one team in Africa, but we now face South Africa, who qualified for this tournament ahead of a big team like Nigeria.
“They played very well in their first game even though they eventually lost to Algeria. They are a fantastic team.
“We are a young team who have shown we do not give up and so we will come into any game to win it.”
Mashaba meanwhile knows what is at stake leading up to the game against the West Africans.
"If you look at all the teams' standings on the log, it's a must win our game against Ghana," Mashaba said following their game against Senegal.
"The toughest thing will be the margin, it should be no less than three goals. Maybe that other team loses and we win, that puts us on four points, but it's going to be important for us to win that game."
Mashaba, meanwhile, admitted that his side's lack of efficiency in front of goal is a concern.
The Bafana Bafana head coach added: "We are the team that has created more chances but converted a few. We should have scored no less than six goals in both matches [against Algeria and Senegal].
"The question of scoring, it's about finishing, especially from the second ball. How many chances did we have? But we still wanted to go behind the defenders. It's a concern."
Bafana Bafana will be relying on Bongani Ndulula and Tokelo Rantie to get in behind Ghana's defence while Brilliant Khuzwayo will have to be at his best to keep out a potent Black Stars attack.
Leading man Gyan will be beaming having successfully equaled Ghana’s scoring record at the Africa Cup of Nations with his last minute winner in their last outing.
The Al Ain man is now tied on seven goals with Osei Kofi, a veteran of the Black Stars side that won the continental title in 1965.

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