Bafana ready for Uganda
2005-03-23 16:37
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena stressed that his side would be taking no chances when they host Uganda in a crucial World cup qualifier at the FNB stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 16:00.
Bafana head the African Group 2 standings with nine points after the five teams in the group completed their five first round fixtures last October.
"We have the experience and the players to beat Uganda. But playing these underdogs can be a problem. We must not allow ourselves to get under pressure. We should start by attacking Uganda and get an early goal and lay the platform for victory.
"The players realise how important the three points are to us," said Mokoena who has become a regular with English Premiership club Blackburn Rovers, which he joined in January.
"My confidence is high and I am looking forward to play Uganda," said Mokoena.
Bafana coach Stuart Baxter was to the point when he said after training at the Wits sports grounds on Wednesday: "We have to be ruthless and clinical. We have to collect three points. It is as simple as that."
Baxter has assembled a powerful squad laced with South Africa's leading overseas based players.
Spirit high in Bafana camp
Apart from Mokoena, Bafana have other top class European-based stars in the line-up such as Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Hans Vonk his team-mate and midfield playmaker, Steven Pienaar, midfield powerhouses Quinton Fortune of Manchester United, German-based Delron Buckley plus strikers Shaun Bartlett, who plays for another English Premiership club Charlton Athletic, and Benni McCarthy of FC Porto.
Said Bartlett: "We have a good squad here and the spirit is high. The team has progressed and improved over the last six months. I reckon Uganda will be defensive and it will be up to us to make sure we open up their defence and score the goals to take us to a win and three points."
Baxter added: "We must win our remaining three home qualifying home matches to reach the World Cup finals in Germany next year. It all starts in Johannesburg on Saturday."
- SAPA