South Arica is playing against Sao Tome and Principe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers. The Game will kick oof at 19:00. It’s the opportunity for Molefi Ntseki, Bafana Bafana coach to prove that he is the right man for the job.
The coach has been under increasing pressure further to inconsistent results in both competitive and international friendlies, since he took over the reins in August 2019,
The bid to qualify for the AFCON finals taking place in Cameroon comes as the perfect test for Ntseki. After two rounds of matches, Bafana are currently standing second in Group C. And they are keen to win this match as well as the return fixture in Port Elizabeth on Monday.
Positive results against Sao Tome will set South Africa up for a top finish in this group. A group that also includes leaders Ghana and third-placed Sudan.
The last time Molefi Ntseki and his men appeared in a competitive fixture was 17 November 2019. When they edged Sudan 1-0 in their only win of the campaign so far.
It turned out to be a hectic week for Ntseki who had to deal with seven withdrawals from the squad. The Cape Town City duo of Thamsanqa Mkhize and Abubakar Mobara could not join the camp. As they are self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.
SuperSport United forward Bradley Grobler, Portugal-based defender Thibang Phete, Thulani Serero, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali and Kaizer Chiefs right-back Reeve Frosler all will be absent due to injuries.
This saw the coach turning to Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule as well as the Sundowns duo of defender Mosa Lebusa and utility player Thapelo Morena as replacements.
AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe, Thabo Nodada and Bloemfontein Celtic centre-back Tshepo Rikhotso are in the list to replace the withdrawals.
What could be the biggest headache for Ntseki in plotting against his opponents is that not much is not known about the Sao Tome players.
Most of their players ply their trade in the lower leagues of Portuguese football, especially at amateur level.
However, veteran forward Luis Leal of Mexican side Club Tijuana could pose the biggest threat to Bafana Bafana.
Another striker, Harramiz, has two goals – the last being on Sunday – in four games for Portuguese second-tier side GD Estoril Praia. He could cause problems for the Thulani Hlatshwayo-marshalled Bafana defence.