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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
HE is the only remaining member of the Warriors, who featured when they won their last World Cup group game qualifier, 13 years ago.
That was in the 2-0 victory over Namibia, at Rufaro, in 2008, when Gilbert Mushangazhike scored both goals.
But, more than a dozen years later, Onismor Bhasera still derives a lot of pride, and pleasure, from representing his country.
Now 35, he even paid for his air tickets, when he was asked, at the last minute, to come in and help his team, in their 2021 AFCON qualifier, against Botswana.
He is now bracing for what he feels will be the Mother of all Battles, when they host Bafana Bafana, in a 2022 World Cup qualifier, at the National Sports Stadium, this afternoon.
“There is certainly no need to panic, you know, we should go out there and play for the badge,’’ he said. “It is a huge responsibility to represent the country.
‘’There are millions of footballers in this country and, for you to be selected to represent the country, is such a huge honour and we should as well do it with honour.
“All the players in camp know that and they are ready to go, we don’t need any extra motivation, we already know what is at stake.
“When your name is called upon to do duty for the nation, you should stand up and do your best.
“As for me, I am always there, I am always ready to represent my country when called upon.
“You don’t know whether you will be called up again so it is always important to give it your all when you are given a chance to play.
“We should give it our all for the country, the fans, our families and everyone.
“We would certainly have wanted to have our supporters in the stadium but it is unfortunate the pandemic has made sure that we will play in an empty stadium.
“We will play for them, we know they will be cheering us from wherever they will be.”
The veteran SuperSport United left back, said this is one of world football’s intriguing matches, which features many players, who are quite familiar with each other.
“It’s going to be interesting, you know, I know virtually everyone in the South African team and they also know me, we have played together, or against each other, at some point,’’ he said.
“We have played together at club level, and even at international level, as well.
“It’s going to be a derby and you know derbies produce fireworks and that is what we are expecting in this match.
“Most of the guys, in both teams, have faced, or played alongside each other, for some time and it is going to be interesting, how the match will pan out.”
Bhasera, who announced his comeback into the Warriors fold, in a crunch 2021 AFCON qualifier away in Botswana in March, said the Warriors have a good chance of winning today’s encounter, as long as they remain focused.
“I am happy with the atmosphere in the camp, the morale is high and the guys are raring to go,’’ he said.
“We are 100 percent (ready) and we are playing at home, we don’t have anything to fear.
“We should go out there and attack, I mean, we should get an early goal and settle our nerves then go for it.
“We also need to be intact at the back, we should avoid conceding, and risk chasing the game, I mean, and we should shut the door and have a clean sheet.
“We have a lethal strikeforce and the belief, in the camp, is up there, we will certainly get a goal, or two, given the quality we have in front.’’
Online Reporter