BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund will almost completely show his hand with the national team's starting line-up in the international friendly against Lesotho on Sunday.
This will come about as a result of his attempt to try out solid combinations before the bigger picture - Bafana's two World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic and Ethiopia next month.
"Lesotho are no pushover, make no mistake about it. But, although we would like to win the match, it is purely [being played] for combinations," said Igesund yesterday.
"I don't think CAR and Ethiopia care much about how our team lines up before we play them. They've got their own team to worry about because all these games are a must-win for all the sides."
Bafana will have one more training session this morning before heading off to Maseru.
Igesund said he was past making excuses because of interrupted spells while the team was in camp but admitted his major concern was with the defence. He has had to replace Tsepo Masilela and Siboniso Gaxa with Ricardo Nunes and Siyanda Xulu after injuries forced the duo to withdraw.
But the coach will be without Xulu, May Mahlangu and Tokelo Rantie for Sunday's friendly as they will be featuring for their respective teams tomorrow.
"I can't harp on about injuries, it's part of the game. And if I complain that I am missing so and so, then what are the players that are here supposed to think? Lesotho [ranked 155 by Fifa] is a game we had to play, I don't know too much about them as I just need to get my team ready.
"In reality, the bigger picture is CAR and Ethiopia. I need to be sure of the combinations I use at the back and that we get confidence going into our game against CAR," said Igesund.
The coach is looking at finding a partner for Thabo Nthethe in central defence because that is where Bafana have been most vulnerable. Tefu Mashamaite, Mulomowandau Mathoho or Bevan Fransman could be paired with Nthethe this week.
"It is not a win-at-all-costs game, but we anticipate them to give us a tough match. Not so long ago they were ranked ahead of us," he said.
Lesotho will also use the friendly to prepare for their return leg against Zambia on June 8.
Igesund forced to show his hand
BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund will almost completely show his hand with the national team's starting line-up in the international friendly against Lesotho on Sunday.
This will come about as a result of his attempt to try out solid combinations before the bigger picture - Bafana's two World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic and Ethiopia next month.
"Lesotho are no pushover, make no mistake about it. But, although we would like to win the match, it is purely [being played] for combinations," said Igesund yesterday.
"I don't think CAR and Ethiopia care much about how our team lines up before we play them. They've got their own team to worry about because all these games are a must-win for all the sides."
Bafana will have one more training session this morning before heading off to Maseru.
Igesund said he was past making excuses because of interrupted spells while the team was in camp but admitted his major concern was with the defence. He has had to replace Tsepo Masilela and Siboniso Gaxa with Ricardo Nunes and Siyanda Xulu after injuries forced the duo to withdraw.
But the coach will be without Xulu, May Mahlangu and Tokelo Rantie for Sunday's friendly as they will be featuring for their respective teams tomorrow.
"I can't harp on about injuries, it's part of the game. And if I complain that I am missing so and so, then what are the players that are here supposed to think? Lesotho [ranked 155 by Fifa] is a game we had to play, I don't know too much about them as I just need to get my team ready.
"In reality, the bigger picture is CAR and Ethiopia. I need to be sure of the combinations I use at the back and that we get confidence going into our game against CAR," said Igesund.
The coach is looking at finding a partner for Thabo Nthethe in central defence because that is where Bafana have been most vulnerable. Tefu Mashamaite, Mulomowandau Mathoho or Bevan Fransman could be paired with Nthethe this week.
"It is not a win-at-all-costs game, but we anticipate them to give us a tough match. Not so long ago they were ranked ahead of us," he said.
Lesotho will also use the friendly to prepare for their return leg against Zambia on June 8.
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