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Polokwane — Bafana Bafana defender Thulani Hlatswayo insists that his team-mates have their sights on topping their 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifying group.
With the international break in full swing, South Africa welcome Senegal to Polokwane today for a must-win encounter if they are to have any chance of making it to Russia.
Bafana will lock horns against the Lions of Teranga at the Peter Mokaba Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
The Bidvest Wits defender lamented Bafana’s failure to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) as he hinted that Shakes Mashaba’s charges will go all out to book their place in the soccer showpiece less than two years away.
Hlatswayo said it will be easier for South Africa because they know what to expect from the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists.
“We know who we’ll be playing against and how crucial it is for us to win,” said Hlatswayo.
“We want to win and occupy the first position in our group come Saturday.
“We missed out on the Afcon of next year so we know what a win would mean to us as a country.
“So we’ll try our best as players for the country and we are ready for a challenge.”
Heading into the encounter, Bafana are coming off a 1-all draw against Burkina Faso while the Lions of Teranga claimed all three points following an impressive 2-0 triumph over Cape Verde Island last month.
In Group M, Senegal are placed first with three points followed by South Africa and Burkina Faso on a single point each with Cape Verde at the bottom of the pile with zero.
Meanwhile, New Bafana Bafana striker Lars Veldwijk’s father Harry has flown all the way from Netherlands to come and support his son in his “new venture” with South Africa’s senior national team.
Veldwijk senior attended Bafana Bafana’s afternoon training session at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Thursday where he saw his son go through the paces with his new team-mates.
“I am a bit nervous but excited at the same time. This is a big moment for the boy and I wish him all the best,” he said as quoted by the Safa website.
Harry Veldwijk said he had flown from Netherlands on Tuesday and arrived in the country on Wednesday and flew to Polokwane on Thursday in what he describes as an exciting moment for the family.
Veldwijk senior said it is his wish that Lars makes a difference in the Bafana Bafana squad in their quest to reach the Fifa World Cup in Russia 2018.— Sport24.
Online Reporter