Bafana to face Africa's best?

2008-07-23 20:30

Sy Lerman

Johannesburg - Cameroon, more than likely with Samuel Eto'o and other superstars in harness, have expressed their willingness to face Bafana Bafana in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge game in November.

This was revealed on Wednesday by Safa CEO Raymond Hack, who said he had just received a positive response to the invitation sent to the team known as "The Indomitable Lions."

"Now," added the Safa CEO, "all that remains is to agree on the financial terms and other organisational considerations connected with the visit - and I cannot see any problems arising in this respect."

Cameroon, the top team in Africa, are currently ranked 13th in Fifa's world rankings against Bafana's modestly-placed 67th position.

And with the possibility that Bafana could be eliminated from the qualifying race for the 2010 African Nations Cup by November, the Cameroon game assumes more vital importance in the preparation for the hosting of the World Cup in 2010.

Cameroon, along with Senegal, are also one of only two African nations who have qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Mandela Challenge game will fall in a period designated by Fifa for international fixtures - paving the way for both Bafana and The Indomitable Lions to be near to full-strength.

- SAPA