This evening Bafana face Ghana in the international friendly in Durban, Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Ghana, played a goalless draw in their opening game against Uganda over the weekend for the World Cup Qualifiers, and tonight a lot will be at stake.
With Ephraim Mashaba, Bafana head-coach under immense pressure to produce results, the powers that be at SAFA are having none of it: they want the team to qualify for Russia after failing dismally to catch the Afcon 2017 plane.
You can’t blame them because a lot again is at stake.
Me thinks, if Bafana perform poorly tonight “Shakes” should start packing his Puma bags, because this would indicate if, the team is indeed ready to book their plane tickets to Russia.
Mashaba had to overhaul the team following the withdrawal of Eric Mathoho(family bereavement) and three Sundowns’ players for club commitments. The team is preparing for Africa Champs finale on Saturday.
Brighton Mhlongo will start in goals while the back four Abbubaker Mobara, Isaac Nhlapo, captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Thabo Matlaba, will be roped in.
The midfield is made up of Ayanda Patosi, Oupa Manyisa, Dean Furman and May Mahlangu while gangling Eleazer Rodgers and Sibusiso Vilakazi will spearhead the strike force.
Ghananians also have their issues, as this game is used to gauge their readiness for the qualifier after a poor start.
Taking from what their coach said, the game will not be your normal friendly.
Bafana enjoy a relatively impressive record against the Black Stars, with five wins and two draws in the two nations’ last 10 meetings, but Avram Grant’s (former Chelsea coach) men will fancy their chances on Tuesday.
Ghana beat South Africa 2-1 at the 2015 Afcon tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Bafana’s last victory over the Black Stars came soon after the 2010 Fifa World Cup, registering 1-0 win at FNB Stadium.
Will “Shakes” be shaken, shall see!
Game kicks-0ff from 7pm.
