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'Bafana will come out alive'

Cape Town - Minister of Sport and Recreation of South Africa Fikile Mbalula has added his support to Bafana Bafana ahead of the must-win against Ghana.

Player Ratings: Bafana v Senegal

Addressing the media at the team hotel in Equatorial Guinea, Minister Mbaluala expressed confidence in the team.

“We are quite optimistic of what is coming our way in terms of the match against Ghana,” said Mbalula on safa.net.

“I firmly believe that we can still make it to the next round. You will realise that despite other teams in the group winning, it is still open and everybody is going into the last match with a view of winning and staying in the competition.

“This group has lived up to expectation and characterization that it is a group of death, but we have always believed that in the group we will come out alive.

“Our team is quite determined and courageous going into the final stages of the group stages,” said Minister Mbalula.

Mbalula then visited Bafana Bafana at their training ground, and watched the entire session.

Meanwhile, captain Dean Furman was rested for the squad’s afternoon training session due to tight thigh muscles. According to the medical team it is nothing serious, just a precautionary measure and he should be back in full training on Monday, the last session before South Africa tackles Ghana.

Rivaldo Coetzee had a fitness test and the medical team is happy with his progress. He was also able to join his teammates at training. He is also been monitored.

Thulani Hlatshwayo remained behind at the team hotel while his teammates went for their training session as he is recovering from concussion.

Kick-off is at 20:00 (SA time) on Tuesday, January 27.

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