Johannesburg - Despite failing to qualify for the upcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, Bafana Bafana defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele says the team have put their miseries aside and are now switching their focus to the 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifiers.
Shakes Mashaba and his troops finished third in Group M of their AFCON qualifying campaign, but will be looking to make amends when the World Cup qualifiers commence next month.
Mphahlele believes it is possible for South Africa to go all the way to Russia and compete in the much-anticipated global spectacle in two year's time.
“It is so sad for us because we didn’t qualify to make it to the 2017 AFCON in Gabon,” said Mphahlele.
“But we have to move on because we still have to look forward and prepare for our next assignment.
“And that is the 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifiers and we believe as a team that it is possible for us to qualify and also do well in the World Cup in Russia.
“It would not be easy though but we are willing to work hard for it.”
Bafana will begin their qualifiers with a tough away trip to Burkina Faso on October 3.