News24
13 Jun 2019, 17:42 GMT+10
Cape Town - Bafana Bafana assistant coach Molefi Ntseki says the team's preparations are on track and can potentially go all the way to the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
South Africa are preparing for the tournament with a training camp in Dubai and two friendly matches against Ghana and Angola.
Bafana are in Group D and will be up against Ivory Coast, Morocco and Namibia.
"We travelled very well from South Africa to Dubai, but when I look back I can see that there is a lot of improvement in terms of our team preparation, going in to the AFCON tournament," Ntseki told the South African Football Association's official website.
"We need to understand that preparing for a one match qualifier is very different to preparing for a tournament where you are likely to play more than five matches. We came back from very intensive league matches, in our loading and conditioning the fitness trainer has to look in to that.
"It was a very difficult decision to come (up) with the best 23, because all the players really raised their hand and did well in camp. On the tactical side of things, we are working on the structure and discipline and formation.
"I think the guys responded very positively to the plan and the program, we are looking forward to our first game and see how we can maximise the points in the three games that we are going to play and then see ourselves in the last 16. From the last 16 anything is possible, we can easily go all the way.
"I think from what I have seen with the crop of players we have in this camp, we are up for the challenge and we are looking forward to doing well in this tournament."
Bafana get their tournament started against Ivory Coast on Monday, June 24 in Cairo before playing at the same venue on Friday, June 28 against Namibia.
They then round off their group stage with a match against Morocco on Monday, July 1.
Full Bafana Bafana Squad for AFCON 2019:
Goalkeepers
Darren Keet (Wits), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Williams (Supersport)
Defenders
Daniel Cardoso (Kaizer Chiefs) , Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Wits), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Sifiso Hlanti (Wits), Buhle Mkhawanazi (Wits), Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City).
Midfielders
Bongani Zungu (Amiens), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Vitesse), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Strikers
Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg), Percy Tau (Royal St Union), Lars Veldwijk (Sparta Rotterdam), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
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