COACH Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba is confident that the national Under-23 soccer side will bounce back in the second leg of the 2012 London Olympic qualifier against Benin on Sunday despite the absence of key players.
Mashaba was hoping to field his strongest possible team for this return match but injuries have sidelined Andile Jali and Thulani Serero.
The match takes place at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg and the South Africans will take to the pitch with revenge on their minds after Benin beat them 3-1 in the first leg in Porto Novo two weeks ago.
They are now faced with a difficult task in the second leg, with the home crowd expected to play a large part in deciding the tie.
South Africa will need to score two unanswered goals on Sunday to qualify for the next round. Mashaba's charges should be like a well-oiled machine for the match considering that they have been in camp since Thursday.
Despite the injury setback and first-round defeat, Mashaba remains adamant his squad will triumph.
"The dream of qualifying for the London Olympics is very much alive and we just need the support of all South Africans in the campaign," Mashaba said yesterday.
"What happened in Benin belongs in the past. I must admit that referees made it difficult for us through their shocking decisions. But we have recovered from that trauma."
The former Bafana Bafana trainer stressed that he did not have a shred of doubt that the current squad will emulate that of 2000 that made history by becoming the first South African soccer side to qualify for the finals of the Olympics.
That squad was guided by Mashaba.
Household names in the current squad include Bongani "Drogba" Ndulula, Bhongolwethu "Powerball" Jayiya, Doctor "16V" Mampuru, Phumelelo "Ace" Bhengu and Ramahlwe "The Rock" Mphahlele.
Mphahlele, who was in Benin but did not play, said: "There is just no way Benin will beat us at home. We are just hoping the referees are fair and we will qualify for the next round."
His sentiments were echoed by Ndulula, who scored the away goal in Benin: "Benin are a great side but not good enough to eliminate us.
"Benin were just lucky the referees were on their side. The team we have assembled will definitely qualify for the London Olympics finals."
Kickoff is at 3pm.
Shakes ignores injuries
COACH Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba is confident that the national Under-23 soccer side will bounce back in the second leg of the 2012 London Olympic qualifier against Benin on Sunday despite the absence of key players.
Mashaba was hoping to field his strongest possible team for this return match but injuries have sidelined Andile Jali and Thulani Serero.
The match takes place at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg and the South Africans will take to the pitch with revenge on their minds after Benin beat them 3-1 in the first leg in Porto Novo two weeks ago.
They are now faced with a difficult task in the second leg, with the home crowd expected to play a large part in deciding the tie.
South Africa will need to score two unanswered goals on Sunday to qualify for the next round. Mashaba's charges should be like a well-oiled machine for the match considering that they have been in camp since Thursday.
Despite the injury setback and first-round defeat, Mashaba remains adamant his squad will triumph.
"The dream of qualifying for the London Olympics is very much alive and we just need the support of all South Africans in the campaign," Mashaba said yesterday.
"What happened in Benin belongs in the past. I must admit that referees made it difficult for us through their shocking decisions. But we have recovered from that trauma."
The former Bafana Bafana trainer stressed that he did not have a shred of doubt that the current squad will emulate that of 2000 that made history by becoming the first South African soccer side to qualify for the finals of the Olympics.
That squad was guided by Mashaba.
Household names in the current squad include Bongani "Drogba" Ndulula, Bhongolwethu "Powerball" Jayiya, Doctor "16V" Mampuru, Phumelelo "Ace" Bhengu and Ramahlwe "The Rock" Mphahlele.
Mphahlele, who was in Benin but did not play, said: "There is just no way Benin will beat us at home. We are just hoping the referees are fair and we will qualify for the next round."
His sentiments were echoed by Ndulula, who scored the away goal in Benin: "Benin are a great side but not good enough to eliminate us.
"Benin were just lucky the referees were on their side. The team we have assembled will definitely qualify for the London Olympics finals."
Kickoff is at 3pm.
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