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Bafana to rely on speed

A general view during the South African national soccer team . Picture Credit: Gallo Images
A general view during the South African national soccer team . Picture Credit: Gallo Images

BafanaBafana have Senegal all figured out - at least that is what it sounded like when Thuso Phala explained how they would go about taking down their physical opponents tomorrow night (9pm kickoff).

Phala admitted, though, that South Africa had their work cut out for them following a loss in their opening Group C Africa Cup of Nations clash against Algeria.

The SuperSport United player, scorer of Bafana's only goal at the tournament so far, said they would expose Senegal's slow defence.

"Their physical aspect is always a disadvantage for us South African players, but we have a way of playing around them as we are quicker, we have the agility and that is an advantage on our side," Phala said, going further by likening Senegal to Mali, who Bafana beat 3-0 in a friendly a week ago. "They are not that different to Mali - big boys who play abroad and rely on a 3-5-2 formation, if I am not mistaken. They are a good team and showed [that] by beating Ghana. We knew coming into this tournament that all our games will be difficult, starting with Algeria, who are number one on the continent, but [we] outplayed them on the day.

"I think we should do the same against Senegal but take our chances this time and win the game."

One area of Bafana's game that will change is at the back with the return of Mulomowandau Mathoho, who missed the first match due to suspension.

Yesterday, the man nicknamed "Tower" said he was relishing the opportunity to shut down Senegal's deadly forwards, among them Moussa Sow, Pappis Cisse and Mame Diouf.

"I was emotional having to watch from the sidelines because I wanted to play every minute of every game in this tournament. I have been waiting to come up against these big-name players and I feel ready," said Mathoho.

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