Bafana Coach Reacts To ‘Tough’ AFCON Draw

Bafana Bafana assistant Helman Mkhalele has reacted to the draw for the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers that will see South Africa pitted against Morocco, Liberia and Zimbabwe.

The draw was conducted in South Africa on Tuesday, with the qualifiers set to begin in June.

Speaking to iDiski Times, Mkhalele says it is an interesting group, but he feels they can get positive results and qualify.

“I would say this is a tough draw,” Mkhalele told iDiski Times.

“We know because we’ve played Zimbabwe a number of times. And also, I believe that they know us as much as we know them.

“And also, again, yes, there is not much that has been said about Liberia. But going to these games, especially the qualifiers, every team, they make sure that they prepare quite very well.

“So it’s not an easy draw, but for us is to make sure that we go out there, we prepare well, when we go out, each and every game that we play, we just need to make sure that we get positive results.”

Mkhalele says having a strong team like Morocco in the group adds to the challenge, but he says they will focus on their game just like with the other opponents.

“Ja, you know playing such a team, a well-organised team, it is important that we make sure that whatever that we do, whether we meet Liberia, we meet Zimbabwe, we meet or even Cameroon,” he continued.

“So, we will be going out there with one single approach, is to make sure that we get the results. Irrespective of how big in terms of the name of the team, irrespective of that, because only eleven players that will be counting on the field of play. So just go out there, making sure that we try as hard to get the results.

The Bafana assistant also stressed the importance of home advantage.

“You know, the home matches are crucial, in terms of making sure that you’re playing at home,” Mkhalele added.

“And more importantly, in terms of getting more goal-scoring opportunities, because of the support that we’ll be having, in terms of defence, and also the using the home advantage. So it is important that each and every goalscoring opportunity we make use of it.

“By scoring more goals, it becomes easier for us when we go and play the away games. I would say also if we all still remember when we went to Ghana, should we have scored more goals here at home against Ethiopia, against Zimbabwe, I believe that would have increased our chances of qualifying for the next stage of the World Cup.”

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