Bafana players vie for places

Durban - Striker Lehlohonolo Majoro admits the intensity is higher than usual in the Bafana Bafana camp as the players prepare for one last outing against Malawi before the final Africa Cup of Nations squad is named next week.

Coach Gordon Igesund is missing most of his senior players, who are unavailable due to club commitments in Europe, but still has a 23-man contingent at his disposal for Saturday's match in Durban.

“I believe each and everyone wants to represent his country, especially in such a big tournament, so everyone is giving their all, which is good," Majoro said on Friday.

“As a player it pushes you to work harder. If you relax, someone else is going to take your position, because no one is guaranteed a position. That’s how it works.”

Following the clash against the Malawians, who are 24 places below South Africa in the Fifa rankings, Igesund will regather with the same players as well as 13 others for a three-day camp in Johannesburg at the end of the month.

That will be followed by the unveiling of his final 23-man squad on December 30.

Majoro is one of three strikers in the current squad -- Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie are the other two -- and will be hoping to make a huge impression on the coaching staff before Thulani Serero, Katlego Mphela and Benni McCarthy join the camp next week.

“All I have to do is continue working hard, like I’ve been doing at club level," Majoro said.

“I don’t have to try to impress the coach, I think he already knows what I can do.

"If I’m given a chance, I can try my best to play well, like I always do.”

Majoro, who has already scored eight times for Kaizer Chiefs this season, insisted they were not taking their east African opponents lightly.

“I can’t really undermine Malawi by saying they are not a big country,” he said.

“They deserve our respect as much as I feel they respect us.

“I think each and every game you play for your country is just as important as this Malawi game.

“Whenever you’re given the opportunity to wear that Bafana Bafana jersey, you need to do it with pride, make your teammates proud and make the nation proud.”