'We won't come out guns blazing'
BAFANA Bafana will take a cautiously positive approach to the start of the opening game of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations against Cape Verde at the National Stadium tomorrow.
HUGE RESPONSIBILITY: Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela. Photo: Gallo ImagesIgesund respects Cape Verde
Kickoff is at 6pm.
Cape Verde are the supposed minnows of Group A but knocked Cameroon out of the qualifiers with home and away wins, and with a ranking of 69th in the world they are almost 18 places above South Africa.
With Morocco (January 23) and Angola (January 27) still to come in the group, Bafana will be desperate for a win in their opener to raise the spirits of their supporters and ease the pressure on themselves as hosts.
But coach Gordon Igesund said yesterday, ahead of his side's training session at Orlando Stadium, that Bafana would not come out all guns blazing against the national team of the island archipelago off west Africa.
"It's always tricky - how do you start off a game?" the coach said. "We don't necessarily want to come out all guns (blazing) - you need to respect the opposition.
"The gap is closing between the so-called giants of football and the minnows. We'll give them the respect they deserve, but obviously we'd also like to try and score a goal nice and early - start the game offensively - but by the same token keep it nice and tight. This team is a difficult team in the sense that they're very tough runners. They run and they run and they close down, although they have played on very small pitches in their last two games and the park (at National Stadium) is nice and big and we can stretch them."
Igesund said he had done his preparation on Cape Verde, including watching the tapes of their games this month against Nigeria (a 0-0 draw) and Tunisia in June (a 2-1 defeat). The coach has identified key men such as RKC Waalwijk defender Guy Ramos and dangerous Lille striker Ryan Mendes.
"I've got a lot of information on Cape Verde - each of my players will get a DVD of the player he's playing against. They'll be very familiar with the players individually so when I'm doing my team talk they'll be able to refer to the player immediately."
Igesund said he had to improvise as he crammed in Bafana's final preparations this week.
"It's been tough all along and it's no good saying have we got enough time, or whatever. That's how it is and that's what we've got to cope with. We've got to improvise if there are issues. As I said before, we'll be ready. And I've got to work the players a little bit extra, but then you rest them after training - more water, more swimming and more ice for recovery."
The opening match was sold out by yesterday. Asked if he was surprised, Igesund replied: "Not really. There's a lot of passionate supporters in South Africa. We had full houses in the World Cup, and the Afcon in 1996. In South Africa everybody waits until the last minute to by tickets.
l Morocco and Angola face off in the second Group A match, at 9pm.
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ISIDINDI
GI, give no opponets respect go out there and fight...win by hook or crook!Report Abuse
NNT61
GI i didnt buy my ticket to watch a draw because you guys(technical team) are scared of losing.some of us are hoping for SA to make it beyond group stages and that starts tomorrow.attack from the first whistle as this will give us atleast a chance of scoring some goals.because taking a ride from the stadium in reavaya after a loss its not very nice.Report Abuse
BRA-MAFUTHA
If ZEBRA BAFUNNY wins it wil be by pure luckReport Abuse
3litreV6
Even though i'm sceptic about Bafana to win, but i'll be watching the game with crossed fingers.Good luck to the boyz.
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Mapholobakay1
Here we go again NEGATIVE attitude from the start...THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE BARCELONA. The only team that is neither scared nor respect the opposition.I give up! Bafazi Bafazi.
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Dieheart
Here we go! 3 points and we will be sailing. I have hope!Report Abuse
sdakwa
If these islanders are highly ranked than us, why do we then refere to them as minnows?Report Abuse
Sane1
Gordon understands that this game will be won or lost psychologically. Cape Verde knows very that BB are under pressure to please their home fans. They will wait for them, close them down and get two goals through counter attacking & set pieces to frustrate them. But if BB do not make desperate attacks to score but hold the game up, but then score when an opportunity arises. They'll ultimately break them up and score more goals. Gordon has got it right.Report Abuse
Sane1
By reading some of the negative comments above, it seems most of the commenters here are either immature or are drunkards suffering from a permanent hangover.Report Abuse
DJ-Winner
BRA-MAFUTHAIf ZEBRA BAFUNNY wins it wil be by pure luck
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You need to grow up, man. I don't know why you refusing to think.
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