It will never be easier to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations then now for Bafana Bafana.
The national team have a horrible record really when it comes to qualifying … who can forget their 2011 Dance of Shame when they go their numbers wrong and missed out on Afcon 2012.
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Now, the numbers are simple. Beat Liberia home and away and you are in the competition.
Morocco will top the group in most likely scenarios and Zimbabwe have been disqualified by FIFA.
So Friday’s first tie against Liberia is key before they travel to face Monrovia four days later.
There are no Kaizer Chiefs players in the squad but the team has a number of players in form ready to lead the country to the biggest continental showpiece.
Ronwen Williams, Percy Tau, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane and Cassius Mailula are likely to start in both games.
“Obviously, it’s nice having a lot of familiar faces. But the main thing is that all 23 players are here for a reason,” said Bafana Bafana captain Wiliams, who makes up a strong contingent of Mamelodi Sundowns stars in the mix.
“It shows they’re doing well for their clubs. We all have a job, which is for whoever’s on the field on the day to represent South Africa and do well and qualify for Afcon.
“But surely the guys from Sundowns will help. We’ll speak to the guys [about] the experience we’ve picked up the last few months, the last few years, some of them [from Sundowns], to make things a bit easier and use it to our advantage.”
Friday’s match is played at the Orlando Stadium. It kicks off at 6pm. The return leg is on Wednesday at 6pm SA time.
Bafana are ranked 67th as opposed to their visitors who are down in 150th.
Only a disaster could ruin an expected 3 goal winning margin.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD:
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Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Turan-Tovuz IK, Azerbaijan)
Midfielders: Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Vargerb Bois, Sweden), Sphephelo Sithole (Belenenses, Portugal)
Forwards: Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota, USA), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport United), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns)
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