Bafana's 2018 World Cup group rivals trying to make up for lost time

11 November 2016 - 14:05 By Mark Gleeson

After narrowly snatching a point from opening 2018 World Cup group qualifier against Bafana Bafana‚ Burkina Faso have been told by their coach they must win their Group D game away in the Cape Verde Islands on Saturday if they are to stay alive in the race for Russia. Saturday night’s match in Praia is the other game in the same group as South Africa and Senegal‚ who will meet earlier in the day in Polokwane.Burkina Faso are on the back foot after dropping home points last month when substitute Banoua Diawara’s stoppage time equaliser saw them avoid defeat at the hands of Shakes Mashaba’s team.Burkina coach Paulo Duarte has told his players a win is imperative to get the country’s hopes back on track.They have been training in Lisbon for several days before heading to the island archipelago.Bafana in need of rare victory over SenegalBafana Bafana must break new ground to gain a much-needed World Cup-qualifier win over Senegal tomorrow as they seek a first competitive victory over the powerful West Africans. Burkina have to do without Ajax Amsterdam’s Bertrand Traore‚ who went into the Bafana match with a big reputation but made little impact.They have named former Chippa United striker Aristide Bance and defender Issou Paro‚ from Cape Town National First Division club Santos‚ in their squad for this weekend.Cape Verde have high hopes at home‚ according to their coach Lucio Antunes‚ but they also have injury concerns without regulars Ryan Mendes and Odair Fortes for the match.“The objective must be three points‚” Antunes told a press conference in Praia. - TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.