Bafana Bafana, Super Eagles ready for Afcon semifinals
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Mr Zizi Kodwa, has landed Cote d’Ivoire to support Bafana Bafana, who will play in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinals against Nigeria on Wednesday, February 7.
Bafana Bafana have captured the hearts and soul of South Africans and football fans in their performances at AFCON, reaching their first semifinal in the competition in 24 years.
Minister Kodwa encourages South Africans to get behind Bafana Bafana as they continue their brilliant and record-breaking journey at AFCON.
Minister Kodwa says, “Bafana Bafana have inspired many at the 34th AFCON. The team has risen from past disappointments to display the winning trajectory being exhibited by South African Sport, Arts and Culture on international platforms. They have broken records by keeping four clean sheets in the tournament. The heroics of the Bafana Bafana players during the tournament, including the feats of captain Ronwen Williams in the quarterfinals, will live long in the memories of football supporters.”
The Minister adds, “Spain and Argentina lost their opening games in the 2010 and 2022 FIFA World Cup respectively, before winning those tournaments. I believe Bafana Bafana have that champion spirit to replicate this by going the whole way and bringing the AFCON title home.”
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos brushed off barrage of questions from journalists reminding him about previous clashes against Nigeria as team prepares for an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal clash against Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire.
After three weeks of pulsating action, just four teams are left standing as the tournament heads into its home stretch.
Ronwen Williams and Bafana face Nigeria in the first semifinal on Wednesday night, before tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire take on giant killing DRC Congo on the same day.
Williams, looking to crown his career with victory on football’s biggest stage, was a pivotal figure in Saturday’s stormy quarterfinal win over the Cape Verde, making several breathtaking saves during the penalty shoot-out.
“Yes, we know and understand who we are up against. We know the might of this team and that their players play all over Europe. We also know that last time in an AFCON what the result was, but this time it’s different. It’s different players, a different team and a different AFCON. Anything is possible,” said the Belgian tactician.
Happy to have come this far with his squad, the coach also delivered sad news on the status of Thapelo Maseko. “Sadly due to the third-degree tear (hamstring), Maseko is out for the rest of the tournament. But he remains with us till the end. We will not replace the player with another due to time (Visas and the travel time to get to Cote d’Ivoire at short notice), so we will continue the tournament with the squad we have.”
Apart from Maseko being ruled out, the team have no other injury concerns. Bafana Bafana take on Nigeria at the Stade De La Paix Bouake, at 7pm local time.
