No easy games in international football anymore, says Bafana coach Baxter

Stuart Baxter says Libya recently gave Morocco a tough run. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Stuart Baxter says Libya recently gave Morocco a tough run. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Published Sep 8, 2018

Share

DURBAN – Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter will implement his four-point mental plan in a bid to get his team over the hurdles posed by Libya.

The two countries will square off in an African Cup of Nations Group E fixture at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (3pm kickoff).

Baxter has refused to be drawn into speculating on Bafana Bafana’s potential qualification for next year’s continental showpiece in Cameroon.

“We should not look any further than the game against Libya,” remarked Baxter. “We must take things one game at a time, minute by minute, kick by kick, take the three points and move on.”

He used Iceland and Botswana as classic examples of teams which may have been pushovers in the past, but are not anymore.

“There are no easy games out there anymore,” he said.

“Look at Iceland. In days gone by, most teams would beat them 6-0, but five years later, with Iceland still called Iceland, they don’t lose 6-0 anymore. 

“Botswana too have improved considerably. Libya are the same. They (Libya) recently gave Morocco a tough run.

“There are no easy games in international football anymore. So, we don’t play the name (of the country), we play against what is in the shirt on the pitch.”

Libya currently top Group E on goal average having crunched Seychelles 5-1 in their opening group fixture, while SA did what many thought was the impossible by beating Nigeria 2-0 away.

“I will be very surprised if Libya are not motivated for this match,” responded Baxter when asked about Libya’s domestic challenges at home.

“Libya won their last game and come to play SA, who beat Nigeria away, so they will be ready for us.”

African News Agency (ANA)

Related Topics: