BAFANA Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane should be a relieved man after his trusted hitman Katlego "Killer" Mphela was cleared to travel to Niamey for their crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger on Sunday
Mphela is showing tremendous signs of recovery after hobbling out of training in Rustenburg on Wednesday morning due to a knee injury and will travel with squad today. He was advised not to train on Wednesday afternoon and yesterday.
The Mamelodi Sundowns attacker was one of the scorers when Bafana beat Niger 2-0 in home leg in Nelspruit last September to start their 2012 Afcon qualifiers with a bang. Bernard Parker scored the other.
Mphela is the third-highest goalscorer for Bafana with 21 goals after Benni McCarthy (31) and Shaun Bartlett (29).
South Africa are hoping to register their first away win in the 2012 qualifiers, at the same time ending Niger's unbeaten run at home.
"We are well aware Niger are still unbeaten at home but there is always the first time in life. We are going there for a win," said goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Khune and Ugandan counterpart Dennis Onyang are yet to concede in these qualifiers.
"The plan is to finish the qualifiers without conceding and we are working hard to be competitive in all departments. Our aim is to come back from Niger still on top of the log," said Khune.
Mosimane could not be reached for comment yesterday but he is said to be happy that Mphela is part of the travelling party.
Mosimane said early this week that they will fight tooth and nail in Niamey to ensure that qualification for the Afcon finals that will be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon "remains in our hands".
Niger's coach Harouna Doula, whose team is second on the Group G, two points behind Bafana, is equally upbeat about their chances on Sunday.
"We are gaining in confidence after our performance against Egypt (winning 1-0 at home). I think the guys are now starting to believe in themselves. Now we do not fear any team," Doula said.
Niger will pin their hopes on France-based striker Ouwa Moussa Maazou, who scored the only goal against Egypt. Kassaly Daouda is also a top goalie.
Seven-time champions Egypt may be bottom of the log but a win in Sierra Leone tomorrow may revive their hopes of sneaking in as one of the two best second-place teams.
Safa technical adviser Serame Letsoaka is in Freetown to watch the match on behalf of Mosimane.
Killer news lifts Bafana
BAFANA Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane should be a relieved man after his trusted hitman Katlego "Killer" Mphela was cleared to travel to Niamey for their crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger on Sunday
Mphela is showing tremendous signs of recovery after hobbling out of training in Rustenburg on Wednesday morning due to a knee injury and will travel with squad today. He was advised not to train on Wednesday afternoon and yesterday.
The Mamelodi Sundowns attacker was one of the scorers when Bafana beat Niger 2-0 in home leg in Nelspruit last September to start their 2012 Afcon qualifiers with a bang. Bernard Parker scored the other.
Mphela is the third-highest goalscorer for Bafana with 21 goals after Benni McCarthy (31) and Shaun Bartlett (29).
South Africa are hoping to register their first away win in the 2012 qualifiers, at the same time ending Niger's unbeaten run at home.
"We are well aware Niger are still unbeaten at home but there is always the first time in life. We are going there for a win," said goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Khune and Ugandan counterpart Dennis Onyang are yet to concede in these qualifiers.
"The plan is to finish the qualifiers without conceding and we are working hard to be competitive in all departments. Our aim is to come back from Niger still on top of the log," said Khune.
Mosimane could not be reached for comment yesterday but he is said to be happy that Mphela is part of the travelling party.
Mosimane said early this week that they will fight tooth and nail in Niamey to ensure that qualification for the Afcon finals that will be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon "remains in our hands".
Niger's coach Harouna Doula, whose team is second on the Group G, two points behind Bafana, is equally upbeat about their chances on Sunday.
"We are gaining in confidence after our performance against Egypt (winning 1-0 at home). I think the guys are now starting to believe in themselves. Now we do not fear any team," Doula said.
Niger will pin their hopes on France-based striker Ouwa Moussa Maazou, who scored the only goal against Egypt. Kassaly Daouda is also a top goalie.
Seven-time champions Egypt may be bottom of the log but a win in Sierra Leone tomorrow may revive their hopes of sneaking in as one of the two best second-place teams.
Safa technical adviser Serame Letsoaka is in Freetown to watch the match on behalf of Mosimane.
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