There are no easy matches in international soccer anymore and Bafana Bafana can expect a rough ride when they host unknown Niger in the opening 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday night.
That was the warning from Bafana vice captain and midfield kingpin Steven Pienaar, as the squad wrapped up their preparations at the Randburg Hoërskool on Thursday.
The team then left for Nelspruit and their final training session at the match venue on Friday afternoon.
“International soccer has become much more competitive. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day and we have to be on our guard against a side such as Niger who we know little about, Pienaar said. "We must forget about our World Cup and beating Ghana (1-0) in a friendly last month. We are starting from zero.
"People think this is going to be an easy game - well let me tell you it is not going to be a walk in the park for us.”
Up front Bafana's current leading goal scorer, Katlego “Killer” Mphela and Bernard Parker should start. It is at the heart of the defence where coach Pitso Mosimane has a headache with his three top central defenders all fit and has to decide which of the two SuperSport United stars, Morgan Gould or Bongani Khumalo, will partner Aaron Mokoena at centre half.
Kick-off is at 8.30pm.
