Bookies predict heartbreak for Bafana

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana have the odds literally stacked against them in their quest to qualify for next year's Soccer World Cup in Russia.

Coach Stuart Baxter's qualification task is simple: beat Senegal both home and away over the next five days and pack your bags for Russia.

Anything less than the full three points in both Friday's match in Polokwane and next Tuesday's clash in Dakar will result in Bafana watching the tournament on TV.

The Lions of Teranga currently top Group D with eight points from four matches, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde both have six from five, while South Africa prop up the standings on four from four.

Leading SA bookmakers BET.co.za have installed Senegal as 31/20 favourites for Friday's encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Bafana can be backed at 9/5 while the draw is on offer at 19/10.

Senegal, the 32nd-ranked country in the world (and third-best in Africa), in all likelihood only require a single point from either match to progress to the 2018 spectacle in Russia.

Bafana are currently ranked 74th in the world - and 16th in Africa.

Kick-off on Friday is at 19:00.