Abidjan, Ivory Coast - It’s been a trouble free journey so far. No luggage has gone missing, and the five-star Radisson Blu Hotel has brought a sense of comfort for the Bafana Bafana players and coach Shakes Mashaba’s backroom staff after a long, but fairly pleasant, flight.
The national team is set to only begin training on Wednesday afternoon upon arrival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso having spent the night in neighbouring country Ivory Coast. Following an eight-hour flight from Johannesburg to Abidjan – with a pit spot in Accra, Ghana – Bafana will then make their way to their destination, where they will face Burkina Faso in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier on Saturday at the Stade du 4 Aout.
The sleepover in Abidjan seemed necessary, making the trip less gruelling even though Mashaba will have to make the most of the time left before the weekend’s crucial match in preparing his men for the encounter.
He will also have his entire 25-man squad on Wednesday with defender Isaac Nhlapho (Platinum Stars), midfielder Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren, Belgium) and striker Tokelo Rantie (Genclerbirligi, Turkey) having had to use a different flight to that of their teammates in order to get Burkina Faso. The trio’s late arrival in the Bafana camp this week did not give team manager, Barney Kujane, enough time to secure overnight visas in Ivory Coast.
Lawrence Sindane, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Ivory Coast, welcomed the Bafana team at their hotel and wished them well against a plucky Burkina Faso side that will be heading to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Mashaba could not guide the national team to the continental tournament and has been under pressure since, making Saturday’s qualifier a must-win. Senegal and Cape Verde complete Group D of the World Cup qualifiers.
Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabokgwane, Itumeleng Khune, Brighton Mhlongo
Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Isaac Nhlapho, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Abbubaker Mobara, Diamond Thopola, Tebogo Langerman, Eric Mathoho, Thabo Matlaba
Midfielders: Dean Furman, May Mahlangu, Thulani Serero, Oupa Manyisa, Ayanda Patosi, Keagan Dolly, Aubrey Modiba, Mpho Makola, Hlompho Kekana
Strikers: Eleazar Rodgers, Thamsanqa Gabuza, Thobani Mncwango, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tokelo Rantie
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