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South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s Fifa World Cup will rest on the match against Group A leaders Ethiopia in Addis Ababa this Sunday at 15h00 (CAT, SA, GMT+2). Bafana Bafana recorded their most impressive result in the tenure of coach Gordon Igesund this past weekend, defeating Central Africa Republic 3-0 in neutral Cameroon to move to eight points on the standings after four matches.
However, Group A leaders Ethiopia defeated Botswana 2-1 away from home on the same day to move to 10 points and within a victory of progressing into the next phase of qualifying.
If the “Walia Antelopes” defeat Bafana Bafana, then they will mathematically guarantee themselves top spot and eliminate Igesund’s team from the running for Brazil 2014.
A draw would be a favourable result for Ethiopia as well, meaning Bafana head into this match needing to claim all three points if they are to put their qualifying hopes within their own control.
Ethiopian striker Fikru Tefera, who is known to South African football fans for his spells in the PSL with Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and, most recently, Free State Stars, believes the home side will triumph and secure a place in the next round.
“South Africa is not going anywhere. Actually they must just forget about the World Cup because there is absolutely no way that they will win against us at home,” he told Kickoff.
“We will beat them and go on to massacre CAR in our last game to finish as the group leaders. Actually we want to finish off this group this weekend by beating Bafana.”
Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw, who has overseen their rise from sleeping giants to World Cup qualifying contenders, was more circumspect: “It is going to be a tough match but I have confidence in my team.”
Nonetheless, it is clear that the East African are full of confidence that they can go one step further than the 1-1 draw they secured against Bafana at the start of the qualifying campaign in June last year (which in the only previous meeting between the two teams).
In contrast to Fikru’s brash and almost aggressive attitude, South Africa have been sending out vibes that they are quietly confident heading into this match. Not in any way afraid of their opponents, but respectfully aware that winning in Addis Ababa will require a performance of similar quality and determination to the one they gave against CAR this past weekend.
“For now, we need to enjoy the victory but must quickly remember that we still have a mountain to climb in Addis Ababa. Both teams have won their matches and they will go into this clash high in spirits. But I am positive we can complete this mission,” said captain Itumeleng Khune after the win in Cameroon. — Supersport
Online Reporter