Bafana Bafana conclude preparations ahead of the Liberia clash


By Neo Poho

Bafana Bafana will conclude their preparations ahead of the much anticipated AFCON qualifier match against Liberia on Friday night at the Orlando Stadium.

The 23 man-squad began with their preparations earlier on this week as players from both domestic teams and overseas based teams assembled together at the training camp on Sunday the 19th of March 2023.

The only player who couldn't join the team was St. Louis City SC midfielder Njabulo Blom due to illness however, in his absence Blom has been replaced by Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm.

Timm was considered to be the perfect replacement for Blom after the Orlando Pirates midfielder was initially part time of the preliminary squad that was selected two weeks ago.

With the team expected to head to the Orlando Stadium on Thursday to conclude their preparations for the encounter on Friday, Bafana captain Ronwen Williams believes his fellow Mamelodi Sundowns team-mates will help the South African side to get the victory against Liberia in the two legged affair.

Williams alongside Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane and Cassius Mailula all made it through to the final 23-man squad from Sundowns and they are all expected to be in the core starting eleven over the two matches.

"Well firstly it's obviously nice having a lot of familiar faces at the camp, it shows we are doing well in our respective club and I believe we can emulate the great performance we have been showing at Sundowns to the national team and help Bafana get the all important victory in both games," Williams said.

Although there is a wealth of Sundowns' players in the current national squad, Williams understands that the other players are as equally important to the national team as any other player is.

"Everyone has their part to play hence we are all here, we have a good squad that can cause problems for Liberia and everyone understands that on the day we are representing the whole nation of South Africa with the same goal in mind, to qualify for AFCON," Williams added.

The 31 year old Williams also said, "Camp has been extremely amazing, the mood is amazing and the spirit amongst each other is also high and that's something I am not used to in the national team, you can see the hunger from the players to just get on the field on Friday and play for their nation."

With the top two sides qualifying for the tournament, Broos’ men can seal their ticket if they manage four points against Liberia, given there are three teams in contention following the suspension of Zimbabwe.

That would make June’s meeting with World Cup semi-finalists Morocco less stressful for Bafana Bafana with only topping the group at stake.

Kick-off at the Orlando Stadium on Friday night is at 18:00.

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Bafana Bafana

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