Bafana with an edge over Botswana
Bafana Bafana go into their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Botswana with a psychological advantage as they have only lost once to the Zebras in the past seven meetings. A win is non-negotiable for the home nation in today's do-or-die match down in at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
This will be the eighth meeting between the two nations – South Africa winning five, with one loss in a penalty shootout and a draw. The last encounter was played last year in September in a World Cup qualifier that ended in a 1-1 draw in Botswana.
Gordon Igusond's men lie second in Group A and must beat the Zebras and also hope group leaders Ethiopia lose to bottom-placed Central African Republic to make it to the next round of qualifiers.
Their last match in South Africa was an international friendly played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban in 2008. Bafana won 2-1 with goals from Bryce Moon and Sibusiso Zuma.
Their first ever meeting was at the National Stadium in Gaborone on the 10th of January in 1993 – Gardner Seale and John “Shoes”Moshoeu scored in a 2-0 victory for Bafana.
Encounters between the two COSAFA rivals have often produced few goals. The seven meetings have yielded 11 goals but South Africa will be happy as they have the lion’s share. They have scored eight overall and will hope this trend continues on Saturday.
Bafana Bafana head coach Igesund remains confident ahead of the encounter.
“The players are very focused, they know what they have to do – I spent some time with them explaining to them not to worry about what is happening in the other match, and told them the most important thing for us is to win this game,” said Igesund.
“I also stressed to them that while a lot of people are writing off Botswana it’s not the right thing to do because you cannot write off any team in the world or international football. Botswana is a formidable team but I believe we will do well because the players are mentally strong for this game.”
While Bafana Bafana are dependent on the results of the other Group A clash between Central Africa Republic and Ethiopia, the Bafana coach will not be losing any sleep over that. The focus will be at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“There is no reason for me to keep an ear on the other match because if you look at it, if they are winning or trailing, we still have to win our game. I do not want a situation where the players will know what is happening on the other side and then give up or give their all depending on the results. We have to win this match regardless of what happens that side,” said the coach.
“I already know my team for the match, and I am very excited about it. It was not easy to select the starting XI because everyone raised their hand for selection. We are going to be very offensive because we are playing at home in a must-win game. I do not want us to waste the first 45 minutes but to attack from the first whistle and score as many goals as possible. They have a couple of players that we need to be careful of, but we are going there with a positive frame of mind.
35 places separate the two nations on the Fifa rankings. Bafana are ranked 67th in the world compared to Botswana's 102. Should Bafana win and other results go their way, they will make it to the next stage of the campaign to play for the 5 available African spots in next year's soccer showdown in Brazil.
Kickoff is at 15h30.
SA v Botswana – previous meetings:
10 January 1993:
Botswana 0 South Africa 2
(Seale, Moshoeu) Friendly, at National Stadium in Gaborone
20 February 1999:
Botswana 1 South Africa 2
(Ndlanya, Phiri) Cosafa Castle Cup first round, at National Stadium in Gaborone
30 March 2002:
Botswana 0 South Africa 0
(SA won 5-4 on pens) Cosafa Castle Cup first round, at National Stadium in Gaborone
21 May 2006:
Botswana 0 South Africa 0
(Botswana won 6-5 on pens) Cosafa Castle Cup Group B final, at National Stadium in Gaborone
29 September 2007:
South Africa 1 Botswana 0
(Modise) Cosafa Castle Cup semifinal, at Super Stadium in Tshwane
16 January 2008:
South Africa 2 Botswana 1
(Moon, Zuma) Friendly, at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban
9 June 2012:
Botswana 1 South Africa 1 (Gould)
(Gould) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, at University of Botswana Stadium in Gaborone
Safa - Jacasport