Bafana Bafana
Bafana to honour Madigage
2012-12-28 11:33
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana have extra motivation to do well at the 2013 Africa
Cup of Nations: they will be playing for the late Thomas Madigage.
According to the
football411.com website, the assistant national team coach was tragically killed in a car
accident in October, just three months into the job as Gordon Igesund's
number two.
South Africa midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi has revealed the team
are hoping to pay tribute to the former SuperSport United assistant in
the best possible way - by winning the tournament on home turf.
Dikgacoi told BBC Sport: "Tommy meant a lot to some of us
because he improved us as players.It would be perfect if we could win
the tournament and dedicate it to him.
"I know some of us have taken his death quite badly. That will be
really inspirational for us every time we step onto the pitch."
Former Golden Arrows enforcer Dikgacoi is currently an integral
part of Crystal Palace's push for promotion from the Championship to the
Premier League in England.
He will play his last game for Palace on New Year's Day against
Wolves before leaving for Johannesburg to link with the rest of the
Bafana squad.
"We've [South Africa] got a couple of games coming up and if we
can do well and win those matches it will give us a morale boost. This
time is crucial for us and the friendlies will give the coach a good
indication of who is in good shape for the tournament," added the
28-year-old.