Bafana Bafana midfielder Oswin Appollis insists that he and his teammates have what it takes to deliver the goods even without the influential figures of Ronwen Williams and Percy Tau.
Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis insists he and his teammates are more than capable of winning matches without the star duo of captain Ronwen Williams and Percy Tau.
Appollis and Co will battle South Sudan at the Juba National Stadium on Tuesday in a 3pm kick-off with ambitions of securing a valuable three points. The South African men’s senior national football side’s temperament will be put to the test as they finalise preparations ahead of their second group stage match in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Speaking ahead of the match, Appollis said that even though the two men are valuable to the team, the group head coach Hugo Broos has at his disposal is potent enough to put opponents to the sword.
“The group we have at the moment is a very strong group, everyone is capable of doing things for the national team and there’s a reason why they’re chosen for the national team,” he said.
“Here and there (you can maybe say we miss) Ronwen and Tau but the group we have is capable of getting three points.”
The 24-year-old midfielder, Thalente Mbatha, came off the bench to rescue a point for Bafana at the Orlando Stadium.
A total of 24 teams will qualify for the 2025 Afcon in Morocco meaning both first and second place will guarantee participation but head coach Hugo Broos is not expected to take risks with his side.
The bullish Belgian-born mentor has been very clear about his targets to have the nation qualify for every major competition during his tenure and with his contract running out in 2026, the next Afcon and 2026 World Cup are next on his priority list.
Bafana are currently on a confidence-boosting six-game unbeaten run after encounters with the likes of Algeria and Nigeria in recent months.
Broos and his men have also lost two, won six and drawn four of the past 12 games they’ve played, going back to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
