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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa captain, Ronwen Williams, is excited about their prospects, in the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, at the National Sports Stadium today.
Bafana Bafana will start life, under new coach Hugo Broos, with a Battle of Limpopo showdown, against the Warriors.
Williams, who has been capped 19 times, is one of the veterans in this largely inexperienced side.
“I am looking forward to the game. It’s been a long time coming, we couldn’t wait for this,” said Williams.
“Once the draw came out we were all excited.
“There was a lot of talk, back home, because we know the rivalry between the two countries.’’
The SuperSport goalkeeper has been part of the Bafana Bafana set-up, for the past seven years, but had never played against Zimbabwe.
He is set to come up against his teammates Onismor Bhasera and Kuda Mahachi this afternoon. “Obviously, I have played with a lot of Zimbabwean players, so, we are looking forward to the game, it’s going to be a tough one,’’ he said.
“We know each other quite well because a lot of the Zimbabwe players are based in the PSL.
“t’s a game we are looking forward to and we would want to start on a positive note.
“It’s good that we know what we are coming up against so it’s just for us to focus on ourselves. “We have a good game plan, we have had a wonderful week, we just want to go out there and play to the best of our abilities.’’
South Africa, who have graced the World Cup three times in 1998, 2002 and 2010, are looking for a new start, under Belgian coach Broos.
Broos, who won the AFCON title with Cameroon in 2017, said his men were focused on frustrating Zimbabwe, in their backyard.
He said the National Sports Stadium turf was in very good condition.
“First of all, I am surprised by the pitch,” he said. “I have watched a few of Zimbabwe’s games, from the past, and the pitch was very bad. “But, now, it’s fantastic, so I am happy about that.”
Bafana Bafana are looking to exploit weaknesses in the Warriors team, after the hosts failed to get about 10 players, from their bases in the United Kingdom and the United States.
“We know that, even when Zimbabwe do not have the players that we expected, still the players that will play tomorrow will want to prove to their coach that they are good enough to be in the squad,’’ said Broos.
“So, it will be a tough game for us but, I hope, we can have a good result because this is the start of the qualifiers and it will be good if we can have a good start.
“We will try to win that game but my colleague, on the other side (Zdravko Loga) will be trying as well.
“I am confident, we had a good preparation this week with the squad and, tomorrow (today), we will go for victory.’’
Forward Percy Tau, who recently moved to Egypt’s Al Ahly from Brighton & Hove Albion in England, is expected to provide the inspiration, upfront.
He could have Baroka FC’s Evidence Makgopa, who made his debut for Bafana Bafan with a brace against Uganda, in June this year, for company.
Victor Letsoalo, who had a good outing at the COSAFA Cup, is also a possible starter.
Bafana Bafana Possible Starting XI
Ronwen Williams, Thapelo Morena, Thabani Dube, Rushine De Reuck, Siyanda Xulu, Teboho Mokoena, Yusuf Maart, Sipho Mbule, Percy Tau, Evidence Makgopa, Victor Letsoalo
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