Pretoria - Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has emphasised that the team needs a win against Mali later today to increase their chances of qualifying for the next round of CHAN 2014.
South Africa takes on the Eagles, who have never qualified for the world finals, at the Cape Town Stadium at 5pm.
“The players know and I made it very clear that we have to beat Mali and we will see what happens in the other game. If they end up in a draw, the better for us.
“It is very important for us to go to the match with Nigeria (Bafana’s next opponents) in a very comfortable position.
“There is a strong possibility that three teams could end on six points each and we don’t want that situation. We cannot worry about what other teams are doing, but can only worry about what we can control,” he said.
Igesund, who did not want to talk much about the last group A match against Nigeria, said: “We take each game as it comes and after Mali, we will think of Nigeria – but we are ready for the game.
“It should be a tough one but I am quite confident because even though we started slowly, I believe we will get stronger and stronger.”
Much has been made of the physical nature of Mali’s game, but the Bafana Bafana mentor has a plan.
“We are playing against a very good and physical team, so we have been working hard on keeping the ball, making quick passes because we don’t want to get into a tussle with them as we will come off second best.
“We need to be clever and use the ball well, and need to be more penetrative than we were in the first match (against Mozambique). The mission is very clear: we have to get a result in this match so we know where we are,” he said.
The head coach said his team’s tactics will change from their clash with Mozambique. “We cannot allow Mali free play in the middle of the park because they are a very good side and if they can get a chance, they will finish us off.
“I am contemplating making changes to the playing personnel because this is a totally different game. I want to have a bit more pace going forward, but those changes will be completely tactical,” he said.
Bafana have completed their preparations for the match against Mali and the squad has a clean bill of health.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will face Mozambique later in another Group A at the same venue. Kick-off is at 8pm. - SAnews.gov.za
