Nthethe urges Bafana to use second chance

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 17: Thabo Nthethe of South Africa during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium on August 17, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 17: Thabo Nthethe of South Africa during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium on August 17, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published Sep 2, 2013

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Johannesburg – Thabo Nthethe has called on Bafana Bafana players to step up and make the most of their “second chance” in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Distraught after their loss to Ethiopia in June, Bafana were given a lifeline in the qualifiers when the Ethiopians were docked points for fielding a suspended player in a clash against Botswana, who travel to Durban this week to face Gordon Igesund’s men in a crucial final group game.

Bafana are in second place in Group A on eight points, two behind leaders Ethiopia, who play Central African Republic in Brazzaville – a neutral venue – on the same day Bafana host Botswana. Victory for Ethiopia would end Bafana’s hopes of making a fourth appearance at the world showpiece event next year in Brazil.

“Yes, this is a second chance for us. The coach (Gordon Igesund) has told us the importance of winning this game. We are going to play at the same time s the other game in our group. Hopefully Ethiopia will lose, but we have to concentrate on our game and see what happens afterwards. We have to do the business on the pitch.”

Nthethe has become a regular in the Bafana defence over the last few months, although his partners have changed in almost every game he has played in.

Against Botswana on Saturday, the Bloemfontein Celtic captain is likely to be partnered by the man who captained Bafana during the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, Bongani Khumalo.

Khumalo, who last played for the national team at the continental showpiece in January, has been a regular for his new English Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers, the club he joined on loan from Tottenham Hotspurs. “It does not matter who plays on the day, we just have to make sure we keep a clean sheet,” Nthethe said.

“I’ve watched Botswana play before. I know they are going to come at us because they may also have a slight chance of going through. They won’t let us go through just like that.”

In third place on seven points, Botswana do, in fact, have a chance of going through. But the Zebras would have to improve on their away form in the qualifiers if they are to upset Bafana. They have not won or scored away from home in the group, but that’s no reason for Bafana to underestimate their neighbours who have players more than capable of causing an upset. One of those to look out for is Nthethe’s Celtic teammate Joel Mogorosi, who has been a revelation since joining the club last season. “He knows our players in the PSL and he can be a threat. We just have to make sure to take advantage of playing at home,” Nthethe said.

The 28-year-old feels the presence of Orlando Pirates players in the team is a big boost. Six Pirates players were withdrawn from the squad for the friendly against Nigeria after the club called for their release to prepare for the CAF Champions League tie against Zamalek a couple of weeks ago.

From Pirates, Igesund has called up Senzo Meyiwa, Thabo Matlaba, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, Daine Klate and Kermit Erasmus.

The Star

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