BAFANA Bafana are out to plunge disorganised Egypt into deeper crisis when they meet in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Ellis Park Stadium on March 26. And this will happen without Bafana's longtime skipper Aaron "Mbazo" Mokoena
The captain, a favourite of coach Pitso Mosimane, was surprisingly dropped for the match.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Mosimane promised South Africans that they wanted to finish their qualifiers still top of the log.
Bafana are unbeaten after defeating Niger 2-0 and playing to a goalless draw with Sierra Leone to shoot to the summit of Group G.
Seven-time African champions Egypt are lying at the bottom with only one point from two games after drawing 1-1 with Sierra Leone and losing 1-0 to Niger.
"Egypt have won three successive Afcon finals but we do not have to be emotional about them, I have been following their recent games," Mosimane said.
"As usual, the mentality will be a winning one. Priority number one is to remain on top of our group after the end of the qualifiers."
On the absence of Mokoena, he said: "Let us talk about the players who are in the team. I love Mbazo but he is not in this team."
Eight additional players - Mulomowandau Mathoho, Hlompho Kekana (Bloemfontein Celtic), Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mark Mayambela, Happy Jele (Orlando Pirates), Lehlohonolo Majoro (AmaZulu), George Maluleke (Ajax CT) and Vuyisile Wana (Santos) - were invited to train with Bafana.
Mosimane also complimented the PSL, saying the standard of football in the league has improved tremendously and benefited Bafana.
"The PSL is exciting this season and has helped us in improving the Fifa rankings."
Bafana are ranked 46th in the latest Fifa world rankings, continuing a meteoric rise up the football charts.
End of era for Mbazo
BAFANA Bafana are out to plunge disorganised Egypt into deeper crisis when they meet in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Ellis Park Stadium on March 26. And this will happen without Bafana's longtime skipper Aaron "Mbazo" Mokoena
The captain, a favourite of coach Pitso Mosimane, was surprisingly dropped for the match.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Mosimane promised South Africans that they wanted to finish their qualifiers still top of the log.
Bafana are unbeaten after defeating Niger 2-0 and playing to a goalless draw with Sierra Leone to shoot to the summit of Group G.
Seven-time African champions Egypt are lying at the bottom with only one point from two games after drawing 1-1 with Sierra Leone and losing 1-0 to Niger.
"Egypt have won three successive Afcon finals but we do not have to be emotional about them, I have been following their recent games," Mosimane said.
"As usual, the mentality will be a winning one. Priority number one is to remain on top of our group after the end of the qualifiers."
On the absence of Mokoena, he said: "Let us talk about the players who are in the team. I love Mbazo but he is not in this team."
Eight additional players - Mulomowandau Mathoho, Hlompho Kekana (Bloemfontein Celtic), Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mark Mayambela, Happy Jele (Orlando Pirates), Lehlohonolo Majoro (AmaZulu), George Maluleke (Ajax CT) and Vuyisile Wana (Santos) - were invited to train with Bafana.
Mosimane also complimented the PSL, saying the standard of football in the league has improved tremendously and benefited Bafana.
"The PSL is exciting this season and has helped us in improving the Fifa rankings."
Bafana are ranked 46th in the latest Fifa world rankings, continuing a meteoric rise up the football charts.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos