Bucs players arrive for Swazi clash

Football | Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund will have a full complement of players to work with following the arrival of Orlando Pirates players on Wednesday.
The team is currently in Mbabane as they prepare for the international friendly against Swaziland at the Somhlolo Stadium, scheduled for Friday.

The Pirates contingent remained behind in Johannesburg when the squad travelled on Tuesday (12 November) as they were yet to arrive from Cairo where they played in the final of the Caf Champions League on Sunday (9 November).

The seven players - Senzo Meyiwa, Rooi Mahamutsa, Thabo Matlaba, Happy Jele, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa and Lennox Bacela - joined their compatriots on Wednesday (13 November) at lunch time.
Daine Klate was in the initial list but was withdrawn from the squad due to a knee injury.


The other Pirates player in the national team is striker Kermit Erasmus but he was not involved in the Caf Champions League campaign and has been with the team from the first day of camp.
The South Africans are in Swaziland to play against the hosts in an international friendly match that will take place on Friday, 15 November, also at the Somhlolo Stadium.

Meanwhile, Sihlangu players have promised a good display against Bafana Bafana on Friday, saying they are up to the challenge and raring to go.

Captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze said they are motivated as players and want to make the country proud.
“Preparations have gone well and we are now ready to compete. Igesund (Gordon) is a good coach and I played under him at Maritzburg United. I will help the best I can to give the perfect information on how he likes to play.

We know how Bafana Bafana play as they are not a closed book and we will definitely go all out. We don’t need motivation, especially against a big football nation like South Africa,” said the former SuperSport United player.
Former Sihlangu and Manzini Wanderers’ captain Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya said they will give their best performance.

“We have trained hard and are now ready to render the best performance. They (Bafana) are professionals and we respect them but we do not fear them,” the veteran defender said.
Wanderers and former South Africa’s Sivutsa Stars goalkeeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza said they will give it their best shot.
“Personally I’m hoping to start. Bafana Bafana are professionals but we will work hard and make this country proud,” the shot-stopper said.