South Africa and Mozambique will kick-off the 2014 African Nations Championship when they clash in the Group A opener at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 18h00 CAT.
The host nation’s team has not had ideal preparation according to coach Gordon Igesund, who has had to wrangle over the availability of players from domestic clubs and deal with the injury-enforced withdrawal of first-choice left-back Tsepo Masilela.
In addition, Bafana were unable to organise a friendly/practice match against a fellow CHAN team early in the week, though at the time of writing they were planning a game against a local side in order to get some much-needed playing time under their belts.
The good news for Igesund is that South Africa have a 100 percent record against Mozambique in official international matches, having won all four of the matches in which the teams have crossed swords.
While the competition rules stipulate that teams may only choose players who are based domestically, this match will be relatively close to being a ‘full’ international, as both sides pick predominantly from their local leagues anyway.
Mambas coach Joao Chissano has been able to select a fairly experienced team that is not far off being full strength. It includes the likes of experienced defender Dario Khan as well as Almiro Lobo, who will be well aware of conditions in South Africa having played for Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars in the PSL.
The Mozambicans have also been able to get in a couple of friendly matches in Johannesburg ahead of flying down to Cape Town for the opening match, so they could well be sharper and better drilled than their hosts.
Yet, with home support and an ability to call upon hugely experienced players such as Itumeleng Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker – who all have more than 60 caps under their belt – Bafana Bafana will be the favourites to pick up the three points.
And given that the hosts must face ‘unknown’ quantities in Mali and Nigeria – teams who they have traditionally struggled against – it is vital for Igesund and his charges that they come out on top on Saturday in this key opening match.
The second Group A match, Mali v Nigeria, will be played at Cape Town Stadium at 21h00 later on Saturday evening.
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