28 June 2024 – As the regional COSAFA Cup continues in Gqeberha, South Africa now turn their attention to neighbours Botswana in their second match in Group A at the Wolfson Stadium at 3pm on Saturday.
Coach Helman Mkhalele’s side will be aiming for their first win in the tournament after they drew 1-1 with Mozambique in the opening match of the event on Wednesday. Mkhalele said they will be playing to win on Saturday.
“The most important thing we are going to focus on is to avoid conceding goals from easy situations like it happened against Mozambique. We conceded a soft goal against Mozambique, and we shouldn’t have given them that opportunity,” he said.
Mkhalele said it is crucial for his team to go all the way to the final and show what they are capable of.
“It is important for us to score more goals and try to win at all costs. The tournament is becoming tight as it continues, especially when we are sitting on one point. A win will give us breathing space and the confidence to take to our final group game next week because our main target is to go through to the next stage of the tournament.”
Team captain Rushwin Dortley said they will put in the work that is required against Botswana tomorrow.
“I think going to this game tomorrow, with the same attitude and the same energy, and finishing our chances, we will make it easier for ourselves”, Dortley said.
“I think if we can convert our chances tomorrow, we will be successful. I think the analysis we did on them, the style, the way they play, we have our plan on how to get past them and how to exploit them in their areas of weakness. If we can do that, then we’ll definitely get the three points”.
