Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi believes Pitso Mosimane's side have the ability to beat Egypt in their own backyard when the teams clash in Cairo next month.
Dikgacoi was not included in the South Africa squad to face Tanzania on Saturday in a warm-up for June 5's crucial African Nations Cup return against The Pharoahs after he missed the final two games of his loan spell with Championship side Crystal Palace due to injury.
But with a place in next year's finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea at stake if Bafana can secure another three points, Dikgacoi has admitted the late victory in the home leg has given the players extra confidence.
"We showed that we can beat them already but it would be an even bigger achievement if we beat them at their home ground," he told Football365.co.za.
"We are capable of doing that because we have shown good resilience and I have no doubt we can qualify in the next match.
"It's a shame not to be involved this week but I'm happy to be home, seeing the family and taking a break from football."
After arriving at Palace in February on loan from Fulham, Dikgacoi played 13 times for the south Londoners and helped them secure their second-tier status with two matches to spare.
But a hamstring strain meant he was forced to miss out on the chance to say farewell to the club and its supporters in Saturday's final match against Nottingham Forest.
Dikgacoi admitted he was disappointed but he is now hoping to force his way into Mark Hughes' plans at Craven Cottage next season.
"I am still contracted to them but the main focus is to be in a team whereby I will get game time," he maintained.
"If that means I have to move then that's what will happen. I believe I did well in the Premier League and still can do better it's just a matter of being given game time."
Dikgacoi was not included in the South Africa squad to face Tanzania on Saturday in a warm-up for June 5's crucial African Nations Cup return against The Pharoahs after he missed the final two games of his loan spell with Championship side Crystal Palace due to injury.
But with a place in next year's finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea at stake if Bafana can secure another three points, Dikgacoi has admitted the late victory in the home leg has given the players extra confidence.
"We showed that we can beat them already but it would be an even bigger achievement if we beat them at their home ground," he told Football365.co.za.
"We are capable of doing that because we have shown good resilience and I have no doubt we can qualify in the next match.
"It's a shame not to be involved this week but I'm happy to be home, seeing the family and taking a break from football."
After arriving at Palace in February on loan from Fulham, Dikgacoi played 13 times for the south Londoners and helped them secure their second-tier status with two matches to spare.
But a hamstring strain meant he was forced to miss out on the chance to say farewell to the club and its supporters in Saturday's final match against Nottingham Forest.
Dikgacoi admitted he was disappointed but he is now hoping to force his way into Mark Hughes' plans at Craven Cottage next season.
"I am still contracted to them but the main focus is to be in a team whereby I will get game time," he maintained.
"If that means I have to move then that's what will happen. I believe I did well in the Premier League and still can do better it's just a matter of being given game time."
