Durban – Whether by design or coincidence, the South African attack will be made up of players who shared a close bond with murdered captain Senzo Meyiwa, in whose honour today’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan will be played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Apart from late call-up Moeketsi Sekola of Free State Stars, all the other forwards – Bongani Ndulula, Tokelo Rantie, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kermit Erasmus – had been club mates with the goalkeeper, who was shot dead in Vosloorus last month. Ndulula and Rantie played with Meyiwa at Orlando Pirates before they moved on, while Majoro and Erasmus were his teammates until his death.
This penultimate qualifier was shifted from the original venue, Mbombela Stadium, to Durban as a tribute to Meyiwa who hailed from the city.
The national team’s camp began on a sombre note as they visited Meyiwa’s grave and family this week before getting down to match preparations.
This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3pm and the home side will wear black armbands in a mark of respect for Meyiwa.
Having blanked out opposition forwards in each of the four qualifiers to help South Africa top the group, the best way his teammates could return the favour would be to plunder a few goals in his honour and finish off the job of qualifying for Afcon 2015.
The last time South Africa qualified for the event was when they went to Ghana in 2008 after finishing as runners-up in their qualifying group. They failed to make it to Angola in 2010 and Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in 2012, but played as hosts of the 2013 edition.
Coach Ephraim Mashaba was dressed in shorts and sandals for most of the week and his casual demeanour appeared to breeze through the squad as they seemed unfazed by the dilemma of choosing a new captain and goalkeeper, the withdrawal of Sweden-based midfielder May Mahlangu and the uncertainty about the venue for the tournament.
The latter issue was settled yesterday when the Confederation of African Football announced that Equatorial Guinea would be hosting the event from January 17 to February 8. This followed Morocco’s decision to step down as hosts, citing its fears about the spread of the Ebola virus.
One more win this afternoon and South Africa will be in the competition draw, which is set for December 3 in Malabo. Three points will ensure that Bafana Bafa-na finish among the top two, regardless of the outcome of the other group game between second-placed Congo and third-placed Nigeria in Pointe-Noire. The top two sides in each group go through, along with the best third-placed team.
Having failed to score or win in two home qualifiers, Mashaba conceded the heat was on, but was optimistic that the players’ desire for victory would calm the nerves.
“Of course playing at home is big pressure, especially of late. They are worried that they can’t let the fans down, and the fans want a win at all costs. So we can’t say to them, ‘Go out and enjoy yourselves’. It’s in our hands – we have to go out and make it. That alone is pressure, but everyone wants to win it and that is working in our favour,” said Mashaba.
Sudan are down at the foot of the standings, but not out of contention. Two wins and they could be on their way to Equatorial Guinea, said coach Mohamed Abdalla.
“All the teams have a chance to qualify. Although South Africa are on top we must fight for our chance. We are in better physical condition than when we started.
“All the teams are under pressure since no team has yet qualified from this group. We played Nigeria, a top team on the continent, a champion of Africa, so our players have experience of playing in such conditions.” - Saturday Star