Bafana Bafana
Tshabalala: Bafana on the rise
2011-08-26 07:30
Siphiwe Tshabalala (Gallo)
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Johannesburg - Siphiwe Tshabalala has hailed Bafana Bafana's climb up the FIFA
rankings as a welcome fillip ahead of their crucial clash with Niger.
South Africa moved up two spots to 47th on the latest world
rankings and the Bafana skipper believes the progress will serve as
inspiration for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger
in September.
"For us the most important thing is that we are going up. We need
to keep on working hard by winning our matches to realise our dream of
conquering Africa," Tshabalala told the Sowetan.
"It is good that the rankings are released a week before we travel to Niger for a must-win game and this will inspire us."
Coach Pitso Mosimane was also pleased to see his side move closer
to their target of breaking into Africa's top four, saying: "It is good
that we are maintaining consistency in the rankings.
"We have also maintained our seventh position in Africa and this
is key to our plan to finish in the top four bracket in Africa when the
Afcon finals draw is conducted in October.
"I have made it clear that we want to win the three remaining
matches and we have won the first against Burkina Faso. The plan is to
maintain the winning rhythm against Niger and Sierra Leone and this will
help us to be seeded when the Afcon finals draw is conducted.
"I must say that I'm encouraged by the latest developments with regard to the rankings."