Publications
Partners
Durban - The memory and honour of playing for Senzo Meyiwa will spur South Africa on to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana Bafana supporters in Durban have said ahead of the Sudan match.
"Senzo has done so much for the country and for the team," said Rhulani Nkosi, one of a small group of Bafana Bafana supporters waiting outside the team's hotel.
"We are so sad to know Meyiwa will not be playing, he was one of our favourite players and the best goalkeeper in the country."
The former Bafana and Orlando Pirates skipper was shot dead in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, while visiting his girlfriend, singer and actress Kelly Khumalo last month. Two men entered the house demanding cellphones and shot him before fleeing.
Meyiwa would have been part of Shakes Mashaba's squad for South Africa's final two 2015 AFCON qualifiers.
Saturday's game against Sudan will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, kicking off at 15:00.
The fixture, which was moved from Nelspruit to Durban in Meyiwa's honour, could see Bafana wrap up qualification before they play their last game, away to Nigeria, next Wednesday.
"We want the team to qualify for Afcon because it is an important competition for the team," Nkosi said.
"Meyiwa was the reason we did well, now the other guys must make sure that we qualify."
With eight points from their opening four qualifiers, Bafana will seal their place at next year's tournament, which currently has no host, if they beat Sudan.
A draw would force Mashaba's troops to have to get a result in Nigeria, a daunting prospect.
"It will be too difficult in Nigeria," Jan Ngwenya, a fellow supporter said.
"We have to qualify this weekend, otherwise it will be too tough. I won't like it to go there."
