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Cape Town - Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba took his squad through their paces at Peter Mokaba Stadium, the venue of the crucial 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Senegal on Saturday.
Bafana Bafana play the West Africans in the second World Cup qualifier in which the winner will top the Group and have scored a psychological advantage on who ultimately goes to Russia in 2018.
"We know what we need to do. We have been in Polokwane for the past week and we are now ready. We need to win this encounter and that is not debatable," said coach Mashaba, as quoted by the SAFA website.
Despite some persistent heavy rains which have fallen in the past week which are set to make the playing surface a bit quicker, Mashaba said he was looking forward to victory.
Bafana Bafana played to a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso last month while Senegal went through a routine 2-0 win over Cape Verde at home but Mashaba said what happened in those matches will have no bearing on tomorrow’s outcome.
"I have always insisted that if we are to go to Russia, we have to win all our home matches and strive to get something on the road," Mashaba added.
Meanwhile, Senegal have held mostly closed training session since their arrival in Polokwane.
Boasting some of top players who ply their trade in top overseas clubs, Senegal will be looking forward to cement their top position with a result over the home side.
Bafana Bafana squad for Senegal:
Khune, Hlatshwayo (captain), Mathoho, Coetzee, Matlaba, Jali, Mabunda, Makola, Serero, Rogers, Dolly
Substitutes:
Williams, Daniels, Mphahlele, Mbekile, Kekana, Mahlangu, Klate, Vilakazi, Veldwijk, Patosi, Grobler
