CAF has announced that the last round of qualifiers will kick-off at the same time. This will not give anyone an advantage.
Group G
Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
Niger 5 3 0 2 6 5 1 9
South Africa 5 2 2 1 4 2 2 8
Sierra Leone 5 2 2 1 5 5 0 8
Egypt 5 0 2 3 2 5 -3 2
Sierra Leone
The Leone Stars will come to South Africa knowing that a win could be enough for them to qualify for the African Cup of Nations finals. They are coming here for the 3 points and nothing less. This makes them a dangerous side. Sierra Leone managed to beat a young Egypt side last month at home 2-1.
"It is possible that we defeat South Africa in their own backyard and it is likely that Niger will drop points in Cairo". Coach Lars Olof Mattsson told sierraleonefootball.com.
They have 2 dangerous strikers who play overseas. Mohamed Bangura and Ibrahim Teteh Bangura who play for Glasgow Celtic (Scotland) and Bursaspor(Turkey) respectively. Mohamed Bangura scored the winning goal last month against Egypt.
Leone Stars last played in the African Cup of Nations finals in 1996 when South Africa hosted it. This is a team with something to prove.
They are not good travellers as they have failed to win away from home in any of their previous qualifiers. Sierra Leone lost by 3-1 away to Niger and played a 1-1 in Cairo against Egypt. Yes they will be dangerous but I do not expect them to win.
South Africa
Bafana Bafana have been impressive during the qualification rounds. They led this group for long periods of time. The tables turned in just one game in Niger where they lost for the 1st time 2-1. At home Bafana have won both their matches and have not conceded a single goal. Interestingly the 2 goals they conceded in Niger was the first time their defence had been breached in qualification.
In front of a packed crowd at Mbombela Stadium Bafana Bafana need to play their own brand of football that has seen them beat Egypt 1-0, Burkina Faso 3-0 and Niger 2-0 in recently. South Africa have improved in their passing game and keeping possession of the ball during their home games. Patience will be important in this match as the nerves sometimes cause teams to rush things.
For me the AFCON gives us a chance to make a statement in African football that we are back. The players that we have are in a position to restore the pride of South African football in the continent. It all starts on the 9th of October by clinching qualification to the 2012 event. Players like Thulani Serero, Andile Jali and Daylon Claasen need to announce their arrival in international football at a big tournament like the AFCON.
Katlego Mphela was badly missed against Niger but will be back for this game. He has been in devastating form for Sundowns this seasons scoring almost in every match played. Lehlohonolo Majoro and Bernard Parker have settled in nicely in their new surroundings at Naturena by finding the net a few times. At the back Siyabonga Sangweni is proving to be the signing of the season for Orlando Pirates with his solid play and no doubt would keep the two dangerous Sierra Leone strikers quiet during the match.
South Africa will be too strong for Sierra Leone at home and should win this match easily.
Pitso Mosimane
South Africa failed to qualify for AFCON 2010. Pitso has been tasked with restoring Bafana Bafana’s pride in African football. He has also had to build a team that will qualify and compete in Brazil 2014 World Cup.
He has his critics who feel he is an arrogant man. Personally I think he believes in himself and his ideas. He has a good relationship with his players and technical staff. This is the man who took over a side from Carlos Alberto Parreira after the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa play a very attractive brand of football these days and have a good record in the last 2 years as they continue to climb in the FIFA Rankings. Qualification is very important to AFCON is very important for the team and for Pitso as he will be able to test his team in tournament conditions and against the best of Africa. Pitso has a very good football brain and will come up with a match-winning strategy against Sierra Leone.
He does not mind to play ugly football just as long as the team wins at the end of the day. The great thing about this match is that Pitso knows exactly what result is needed. A draw is not enough. Only a win is needed.
Hope in Egypt
Former USA coach Bob Bradley is set to become Egypt's new coach, but it is not known yet whether he will play a part when the Pharaohs take on Niger in their final Africa Cup of Nations group match. He might want to use some of the older players and not the under-23 guys. When there is a new coach players tend to lift their game trying to impress him. This will be good for Bafana Bafana.
Egypt have been poor in this Group phase. For defending champions to play 5 games and not win a single match is bad. But they remain unbeaten at home. This is another good thing for Bafana Bafana. Niger will find it difficult to win in Cairo even if it is against an under-23 side. The crowd is always hostile.
No team has been able to get an away win in this group. This favours Egypt and South Africa who are both playing at home.
Possible Starting Line-up Bafana Bafana : Khune, Sangweni, Gould, Ngcongca, Tshabalala, Jali, Pienaar, Khuboni, Parker, Mphela
By Siyabonga Mavuso
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