I can rescue Bafana – Mphela

Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela believes he could be the answer to the team’s misfiring troops.

After being dropped in the opening Africa Cup of Nations game against Cape Verde on Saturday Mphela said he was ready to step up to the plate and rescue his team, if called to start against Angola on Wednesday.

The Mamelodi Sundowns striker only took to the field late in the game and he did not have impact. However, he says if he is picked he will do the job for the team.

“If I am picked I am more than ready to help the team get the goals we need. We have a healthy competition in the team but I have played in this tournament before and statistically I am the most experienced striker in the team and I think I can do the difference,” said Mphela, who has scored 23 goals in 50 games for the team.

He said he has fully recovered from the knee injury which kept him out of the game for about four months and was raring to go.

“I have played few friendlies and my fitness is ready.”

Mphela conceded the team did not do well against Cape Verde but promised they would bounce back against the Palancas Negras.

“We did not create enough chances in our first game, like we did in our friendly games, and that was our undoing because the players seemed to be nervous but we must do well in our next game.”

The Sundowns striker said the difference between Bafana and other teams in the tournament was the fighting spirit.

“I was watching the other games and realised those West Africans have big hearts and strong mentality and this is what we need if we are to progress in the tournament.”

Igesund hinted that Mphela was poised to start against Angola.