AFCON

Mothiba: Bafana can go places if we maintain same mentality

2019-07-09 07:23

Cape Town - Striker Lebo Mothiba says Bafana Bafana fear no one and if the team maintains the same positive mentality, it can go places.

Mothiba was outstanding in the last-16 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Egypt which South Africa won 1-0 on Saturday.

Stuart Baxter's charges are preparing for a massive quarter-final encounter against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday, at Cairo International Stadium. It is another huge game which has elicited lots of talking points among soccer fans.

However Mothiba, who set up the winning goal by Thembinkosi Lorch, said Bafana Bafana need to maintain 100% focus and a positive mentality.

"In the match against Egypt, everyone gave 100% effort and focus and now we need to keep that going. The win over Egypt galvanised the spirits and we are all looking forward to the next game against Nigeria.

"We need that positive mentality. The coach has insisted that we should maintain that positive attitude," he said.

The Strasbourg target-man added that the secret to their success over Egypt was following the coach's instructions.

"The coach knows what we need to do against Nigeria. The boss is in charge of that, we will follow his instructions. For the match against Egypt, the coach really pushed us and we are ready for Nigeria and we want to give everything."

He said the Super Eagles were one of Africa's giants but was not sure if they were faster and more tactically astute than Egypt. He said one thing though was that Nigeria must be treated with the utmost respect.

"In the match against Egypt, we played South African football, good when the ball is at our feet but mine is to hold onto the ball for the strikers to arrive in the box. My job is to take a touch and play the ball into space," he said when explaining how the winning goal was manufactured.

"The defender thought I would play in front of him for the goal but I outwitted him. I won't change my style of play, simple and straight forward."

Mothiba said he was no under pressure to score a goal for the team as long as the team continued to chalk up positive results.

"Scoring is a bonus, goals will come. It is important for the team to win not to focus on individual awards."

Kick-off is at 21:00.

Read more on:    bafana bafana  |  afcon 2019  |  lebo mothiba  |  soccer

 

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Fixtures
Wednesday, 10 July 2019
Senegal v Benin, 30 June Stadium 18:00
Nigeria v South Africa, Cairo International Stadium 21:00
Thursday, 11 July 2019
Cote d'Ivoire v Algeria, Suez Stadium 18:00
Madagascar v Tunisia, Al-Salam Stadium 21:00
Sunday, 14 July 2019
TBA v TBA, 30 June Stadium 18:00
TBA v TBA, Cairo International Stadium 21:00
Wednesday, 17 July 2019
TBA v TBA, Al-Salam Stadium 21:00
Friday, 19 July 2019
TBA v TBA, Cairo International Stadium 21:00
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