Pretoria - Bafana Bafana are ready to collect maximum points when they face Ethiopia in a crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier match later this afternoon at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kick-off is 3pm South African local time.
Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund said: “We had a great training session so all in all we are ready for the game. We have to believe in ourselves and I am confident we will do well. We cannot hide away from the fact that it is going to be a difficult game because they are a formidable side.
"However, we know where we want to go, so we have to beat them to get there. We have worked very hard to prepare for this game and I am confident we will put up a very good showing. The guys are focused and tuned in to what we have to do.”
Igesund said the Ethiopians were in a difficult position as group leaders, adding that Bafana will be ready for whatever approach the hosts might adopt.
“I think they are in a difficult position asking themselves whether to go for a win to end the race, or take a draw and win their last match, but we are prepared for any game plan, whatever tactics they come up with we have to out-think them,” he said.
Bafana Bafana are second in Group A with eight points from four matches’ two points behind leaders Ethiopia.
A Bafana Bafana victory will see them top the group with 11 points, one ahead of Ethiopia. Again, a Bafana win over Botswana in their last group match in September would take South Africa to the play-offs.
A draw against their neighbours would still suffice provided Ethiopia lose or draw against CAR in the other group last match.
However, a draw against Ethiopia will make things more difficult for Igesund’s men as Ethiopia would maintain their two-point lead.
Bafana Bafana would then have to beat Botswana and hope Ethiopia draw or lose to Central African Republic (CAR) in the final round of matches.
A win for Ethiopia will see them finish as Group A winners and a spot in the play-offs as they will be five points ahead - rendering the final group matches meaningless.
There are ten groups in the qualifiers and only group winners will move into the play-offs which will determine which five African countries will represent the continent in Brazil 2014.
During Bafana’s last training session at the match venue on Saturday, hundreds of local fans came out to catch a glimpse of Bafana Bafana.
The locals sang victory songs while flashing placards with their predictions for today’s match. Some predicted Bafana will lose 2-nil, 3-nil with some over confident to predict a 5-nil win for their country.
Such has been the hype ahead of the match that the 22 000 capacity stadium is expected to be filled to the rafters. Many fans were spotted in their national team colours a day since Saturday.
Bafana were not perturbed and went about their business full of confidence following a 3-nil victory over the CAR last weekend.
So high was the confidence in the team that the players surprised all when they arrived at the hotel singing at the top of their voices to the excitement of hotel staff and guests.
Playing the match on June 16, which is a special day in South African calendar, Bafana skipper Itumeleng Khune said: “Many people sacrificed their lives for us to be where we are today. Had it not been for all those lives that were lost, we might be living under different circumstances.
“It is therefore important for us the players, the youth of today, to give back by winning this World Cup match against Ethiopia on this special day for our country.
“Today we are living in better conditions following actions that were taken years ago in 1976. We know they will be with us in spirit as we tackle this important mission later this afternoon. - SAnews.gov.za
