Bafana Bafana will be seeking redemption tonight when they host Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Orlando Stadium.
And coach Shakes Mashaba believes the only way for the national team to redeem themselves is through victory.
“It is a must-win to redeem ourselves although it brings pressure on us. But there’s no other way we can do it. For us bouncing back is to score goals and win. Nothing else. Because playing good football and not scoring goals counts for nothing. Winning the game will change the mood.”
Mashaba felt, however, that the gloom from the heavy 3-1 loss at Mauritania on Saturday had already lifted off the team.
“I was happy with the mood, the mood was vibrant. Combinations were there, they were sharing the game well. I think the mood is good for the game. What is left is for us to come up with a very good combination.”
That combination though will not include the central defensive pairing of Erick Mathoho and Rivaldo Coetzee both of whom have been ruled out due to injuries. Also out is Ayanda Patosi – who sat out Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The good news for Mashaba though is that Anele Ngcongca and Thamsanqa Gabuza – scorer of the lone goal in Nouakchott – have passed fitness tests and are available.
Unlike Mauritania, who were somewhat of a closed book to Bafana – although they should have researched them – Senegal are a team South Africa know only too well.
This will be the third time the Lions of Teranga take Bafana on in this match, plus there was that meeting earlier this year in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage.
Mashaba revealed that he saw a bit of Senegal’s Afcon qualifying clash with Namibia at the weekend and said knowing something about the opposition has its own pressures.
“Senegal, we’ve played them a couple of times so we know them very well. And it helps a bit (knowing them) because it also keeps you on your toes to come with better approach for the game on the day.”
While he had spoken of a private desire for revenge when he announced the squad a fortnight ago, Mashaba said yesterday that past results are far from his mind.
“We use those games just to remind ourselves but there’s nothing too serious that we take from it,” the coach said.
Under severe criticism for Saturday’s calamity in Mauritania, Mashaba was unperturbed.
“What keeps me going is because I am a coach and there must be someone doing it. Just imagine if the coaches were to back down saying we have lost and ran away.
“Even Jesus himself went through pain and he managed to go on to save and preach for the people.
“We must go on as coaches. And also I have courage and the love for the game and that beats everything. This love for the game, well, we have to make sure we give it to the players and the ammunition to go and make it in the world.” - The Star