Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Following another disappointing qualifying campaign, Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune has urged the country’s football fraternity to move on and switch focus to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and 2018 Soccer World Cup.
Bafana’s woes continued on Saturday when they failed to progress to the next round of qualifiers despite beating Botswana 4-1 in Durban.
The “Spider-kid” expressed his disappointment on the Kaizer Chiefs website but urged fans to remain upbeat.
"We have to move on and start preparing for the challenges that lie ahead including the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup 2018 in Russia,” said Khune.
Khune, 26, also revealed how anxious he was awaiting the result of the Ethiopia, Central African Republic match in Brazzaville. Ethiopia, who they needed to either lose or draw, were instead 2-1 victors to end Bafana's hopes.
“It is very difficult to put it into words but it was a big disappointment for us as a team and the nation in its entirety. Players took it really hard. We were all sad in the dressing room after the game.
“I remember after the final whistle running to the bench to get the update on what was happening in Brazzaville.”
“I was keeping one eye on the coach especially when we went 3-1 up and when the referee blew the final whistle and of course he did not run to the pitch to celebrate.
“At the end of the day things did not go our way and it was difficult to celebrate the win against Botswana as we were disappointed about not qualifying for the World Cup.”
The North West-born shot-stopper hailed his team-mates for the determination and fighting spirit they displayed over the weekend, also stating that the country saw how dedicated they were to beat the Zebras.
“I was proud of the players though because we bowed out fighting and the result against Botswana demonstrated that. The people who came through at Moses Mabhida Stadium saw that we died with our boots on for the country,” he added.
The was more misery though for Bafana a few days later, when they lost 2-1 in a friendly to Zimbabwe in Soweto on Tuesday.
Bafana’s woes continued on Saturday when they failed to progress to the next round of qualifiers despite beating Botswana 4-1 in Durban.
The “Spider-kid” expressed his disappointment on the Kaizer Chiefs website but urged fans to remain upbeat.
"We have to move on and start preparing for the challenges that lie ahead including the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup 2018 in Russia,” said Khune.
Khune, 26, also revealed how anxious he was awaiting the result of the Ethiopia, Central African Republic match in Brazzaville. Ethiopia, who they needed to either lose or draw, were instead 2-1 victors to end Bafana's hopes.
“It is very difficult to put it into words but it was a big disappointment for us as a team and the nation in its entirety. Players took it really hard. We were all sad in the dressing room after the game.
“I remember after the final whistle running to the bench to get the update on what was happening in Brazzaville.”
“I was keeping one eye on the coach especially when we went 3-1 up and when the referee blew the final whistle and of course he did not run to the pitch to celebrate.
“At the end of the day things did not go our way and it was difficult to celebrate the win against Botswana as we were disappointed about not qualifying for the World Cup.”
The North West-born shot-stopper hailed his team-mates for the determination and fighting spirit they displayed over the weekend, also stating that the country saw how dedicated they were to beat the Zebras.
“I was proud of the players though because we bowed out fighting and the result against Botswana demonstrated that. The people who came through at Moses Mabhida Stadium saw that we died with our boots on for the country,” he added.
The was more misery though for Bafana a few days later, when they lost 2-1 in a friendly to Zimbabwe in Soweto on Tuesday.
