Confident Mashaba is battle-ready

Coach Shakes Mashaba expects to carry on Baby Bafana's tradition of qualifying for the All Africa Games ever since they first took part in the tournament in 1999.

The national Under-23 team must clear their final hurdle, Zimbabwe, on Sunday in their quest to reach the Games, which will be held in Maputo, Mozambique, in September.

Mashaba said he was comfortable with Baby Bafana's 2-0 lead going into the second leg of the qualifiers after victory at home two weeks ago.

He was also at ease knowing that he was not expecting any intimidatory tactics "seeing that Zimbabwe is like home for us".

Mashaba has often helped Baby Bafana come away with a positive result when the team travels to central Africa during Games and Olympics qualifiers.

"These players are growing up," the coach said. "At one time we spent seven hours stuck at the airport before our Olympic qualifier against Benin in June. Our meals were interrupted and we ended up being beaten 3-1 in that game. But the players were not intimidated because they understood it is part of the game here in Africa."

Mashaba said the trip to neighbours Zimbabwe ahead of Sunday's qualifier would have few difficulties.

"I have been there a number of times before and it feels just like home," he said. "The turf is normal and facilities are better than most countries we have travelled to."

On facing a possibly strengthened Zimbabwe side, Mashaba said he was hoping for an early goal to settle his team's nerves.

The coach said his Zimbabwean counterpart Friday Phiri promised to go to great lengths to assemble a stronger team than the one that was beaten 2-0 in South Africa.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Knowledge Musona is in that team on Sunday," Mashaba said. "Both teams are on the verge of reaching the tournament and Zimbabwe will take the match as seriously as we are preparing for it. The fact that it is a home game for them gives them an edge, but an early goal will help us carry out instructions."

Musona is unlikely to be in the Zimbabwe squad as he is close to completing a big-time move from Kaizer Chiefs to Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.