Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Rising Bafana Bafana star Fagrie Lakay says he was
honoured to be part of the team that qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup
of Nations with one game to spare.
The 17-year-old striker, who plays for the First National Division side Santos FC, was called up for the recent victory over Sudan, and although he did not feature in the match, he was still delighted to have been part of the team.
And, with Bafana now gearing up for Wednesday's final qualifier against Nigeria, Lakay told the media at Nike Centre in Pimville, Soweto: “For me as a young player it has been a great experience and to be amongst the best players in South Africa, senior players have been very supportive, this gives me the reason to work hard.
“We took it game by game to the qualifiers, even now with Nigeria we will do the same. The coach has instilled in us to go and win the game."
When asked about the chances of being in the starting line up against the Super Eagles, Lakay, who could become Bafana's youngest ever player at 17 years, five months and 19 days if selected, said: "I will keep on working hard and hopefully the coach will give me a chance."
Nigeria need to match Congo's result against Sudan in the other final Group A encounter this weekend to ensure they are present in Equatorial Guinea to defend the title they won in South Africa in 2012, but Lakay is all too aware of the Super Eagle's likely intentions of going for the win.
He added: "It's not going to be easy because they (Nigeria) will be fighting for qualification, we can’t afford to spoil everything... now we need to stay on the high - another win will be something good for us."
Bafana Bafana will play their last qualifier against Steven Keshi’s men at Akwa Ibom international Stadium, Uyo, on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old striker, who plays for the First National Division side Santos FC, was called up for the recent victory over Sudan, and although he did not feature in the match, he was still delighted to have been part of the team.
And, with Bafana now gearing up for Wednesday's final qualifier against Nigeria, Lakay told the media at Nike Centre in Pimville, Soweto: “For me as a young player it has been a great experience and to be amongst the best players in South Africa, senior players have been very supportive, this gives me the reason to work hard.
“We took it game by game to the qualifiers, even now with Nigeria we will do the same. The coach has instilled in us to go and win the game."
When asked about the chances of being in the starting line up against the Super Eagles, Lakay, who could become Bafana's youngest ever player at 17 years, five months and 19 days if selected, said: "I will keep on working hard and hopefully the coach will give me a chance."
Nigeria need to match Congo's result against Sudan in the other final Group A encounter this weekend to ensure they are present in Equatorial Guinea to defend the title they won in South Africa in 2012, but Lakay is all too aware of the Super Eagle's likely intentions of going for the win.
He added: "It's not going to be easy because they (Nigeria) will be fighting for qualification, we can’t afford to spoil everything... now we need to stay on the high - another win will be something good for us."
Bafana Bafana will play their last qualifier against Steven Keshi’s men at Akwa Ibom international Stadium, Uyo, on Wednesday.
