We need to win this one – Igesund
Gordon Igesund. Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says there is no more room for his team to panic and make mistakes when they play Angola in the second game of the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Igesund says he hopes his players have learnt from their below-par performance in their game against Cape Verde on Saturday.
“The players have to realise that they are national team players and have a duty to perform for the nation. We are looking at a totally different ball game tomorrow and we will do everything in our power to win this game,” said Igesund.
But he said the team should not be scared of losing games and should rather win 5-4 than to sit back and relax.
“We should rather be offensive than to guard against conceding and this is what we should do from now on. We have spoken to the players and we don’t expect the same kind of performance like they (gave) on Saturday.”
Bafana suffered a double blow ahead of the game with news that midfielders Kagisho Dikgacoi and Lerato Chabangu have been ruled out of the match. Dikgacoi is suffering from a knee injury with Igesund revealing it has swollen yet again after the Cape Verde game while Chabangu has a slight groin strain. Said Igesund: “Obviously it is a blow when you lose any member of the team but we have enough ammunition in our side. We are going to make positive changes because we want to win.”
He referred to Angola as a tricky and useful opposition with a few good players but said he was not entirely worried about them.
“We need to focus on our side and play our normal football and most importantly take our chances. Obviously we need to take care of their dangerous players and it will be a good contest. We will respect them but surprise them as well.”
Igesund believes five points will see his team through, meaning a win and a draw in the next two games will be enough.
He said he was not surprised that matches in the tournament so far have been too close to call because teams were emphasising defence rather than offence.
“I think the gap has narrowed and there no longer big and small teams. It has been proven in the tournament so far and this is good for African football.”
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