Free tickets for Amaglug-glug match

Friday, February 18, 2011

Pretoria - Free tickets are available for the All Africa Games second leg qualifier between South Africa's under 23 team Amaglug-glug and Angola.

The match will be played at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The free tickets will be available on a first come first served basis at Ethwathwa library, Ekurhuleni municipal offices, Daveyton and Benoni Customer Care Centre offices as well as at the South African Football Association (SAFA) regional offices in Benoni.

Head coach Shakes Mashaba has had a frustrating time changing players with every match. On Wednesday, striker Siphamandla Sangweni of Africa Stars Academy was withdrawn from the squad due to an ankle injury.

Sangweni played a pivotal role when the South Africans defeated Angola 4-1 in the first leg played in Angola on Friday, 11 February.

"I think in the last 14 matches we have played, I have never had the same team for every match, it's always a different squad. The challenge is that we always start afresh and introduce our philosophy with every camp, but unfortunately there is not enough time to do all that. In some positions we have made at least four changes, but we will keep on fighting until we get it right," said Mashaba.

The squad has been boosted by the arrival of Thulani Hlatshwayo of Ajax, who is on suspension at his club, as well as Amazulu goal keeper Brilliant Khuzwayo.

"We are very fortunate and somewhat relieved that we have Thulani. He is an experienced player and will come in handy on Sunday.

"It is some kind of blessing that he was suspended at his club and he is able to play for us when we really needed players. The good thing is that he will not lose match fitness and when he returns to Ajax, he will be ready for action. Let's do with what we have and make the best out of the situation. This is also a chance for these players in camp to raise their hands and show what they are capable of," he said.

Mashaba said he has drilled it into his players that the 4-1 first leg result is history, and the second leg is a new match altogether.

"The pressure is on us as the home team because of our lead and playing in front of our fans. We are expected to score more than the four goals we scored in Angola.

"I don't expect my players to be complacent but in the game of football, you must always remember that a team that is trailing normally plays better football than the team that is in the lead, so some people may think my players are being complacent.

"I keep telling my players that if we were able to score the four goals in Angola, the visitors can come and do the same here, so we must just be alert at all times," Mashaba said.