Bafana have a proven lucky charm

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If Bafana Bafana are hoping for a little luck as they prepare for a must-win 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR), they need not fear. Daine Klate is here - and back in the SA national football squad. Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

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Cape Town - If Bafana Bafana are hoping for a little luck as they prepare for a must-win 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR), they need not fear. Daine Klate is here - and back in the SA national football squad.

Bafana take on CAR at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 8.15pm) and it’s worthwhile for head coach Gordon Igesund and his team to remember that Orlando Pirates left-wing Klate is a bit of a talisman. Success seems to follow where he goes - and that is just the type of combination of skill, talent and good fortune that Bafana are going to need.

From Gelvandale in Port Elizabeth, Klate made his way to the popular School of Excellence in Joburg in 2000. The football academy had been responsible for many of the country’s best prospects and Klate was no different. Two years later, he linked up with the SuperSport Utd youth programme and it has been a steady rise to the top for the talented left-footer.

After making his way to SuperSport’s PSL squad in 2004, he subsequently went on to become the first player to win the league title in five consecutive seasons - with SuperSport (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10) and then, when transferring to Pirates, he immediately continued the title success in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.

In addition to the five league championships, Klate also has winners medals for the Telkom Knockout Cup (2012), MTN8 (2011), Nedbank Cup (2011), MTN8 (2010), ABSA Cup (2005) and SAA Supa8 (2004).

Klate was in the running for a Bafana place at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, but unfortunately missed out. This time, though, he’s back in favour. And, needless to say, he’s determined to bring his winning presence to the squad and contribute towards getting Bafana back on track on the Road to Brazil 2014.

“It’s great to be back,” said Klate. “The guys did very well at the Nations Cup and I’m sure that’s the type of performance we want to put in again.”

The Pirates winger admitted the team would be under pressure because of the log situation in the group - Bafana are in third place behind Ethiopia and CAR - but he was confident they would be able to handle it.

“Pressure... there’s always pressure at national level,” he said. “But it’s good pressure, it’s something we can handle and it’s something that can motivate us.

“Qualifying for the World Cup is our objective and we just have to apply ourselves, both at training this week and then on the field on Saturday.”

Playing in Cape Town, too, is not too much of a problem for Klate and his teammates. In fact, the winger emphasised that this was a win-at-all-costs fixture for Bafana.

“It doesn’t matter what we do, this game has to be won. The game has been brought to Cape Town especially to give us an advantage. It’s a big field, which will make things difficult for CAR. And, whether we wet the field, or if the wind blows on Saturday, all that is important is that we win.

“We have to make the most of our home advantage.

“While we, the players, may not know all that much about CAR, I’m sure the coaches have done their home work. They will transfer the information over to us in the form of videos and highlight the things we need to know.

“From then on, it’s crucial that we just focus on what we have to do, play with heart and passion, which is so important when playing for your national team, and then make sure that we get the positive result that we want.”

Cape Argus