Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Preparing for their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo on Saturday, Bafana Bafana midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi said the current crop of players were a bunch willing to die for the national team jersey.
"It's exciting that we have guys who are willing to die for the team. We want to go down in history and be the guys who changed the situation which at the moment we are trying to do," Vilakazi said.
Bafana take on the Red Devils in the Group A qualifier at the Stade Municipal de Pointe-Noire with the hopes of making the grade of the continental showpiece scheduled for Morocco next year.
Vilakazi said the team was working towards regaining their rightful place among African teams.
"We are trying to climb the ladder in Africa as well. We have a good coach as well, pushing us to do our best.
"It’s all about trying to do well and getting the result. We have the motivation and spirit to want to do well."
The South African team have fond memories of playing Congo after beating them 1-0 at the FNB Stadium in 1997 to qualify for the Soccer World Cup in France the following year.
The current Congo team though lead Group A after beating Nigeria 3-2 and Sudan 2-0. Bafana, meanwhile, have also played two AFCON qualifiers, winning 3-0 against Sudan playing to a goalless draw against Nigeria.
The Wits captain said there would be little room for error on the day as both teams would be at their best.
"It’s all about who wants it more on the day," Vilakazi said.
"I believe we want it more than them. We will try by all means to give our best for the country and make everyone proud."
Bafana's unbeaten run under coach Shakes Mashaba, which had yielded four points, had been a confidence booster for the team, he said.
"It feels good having people believing in you and they are able to see that you want to make that difference.
"We will take it one game at a time. We want to win games which is the most important thing. We can’t have a team saying we are bringing change when the results aren’t going our way."
The encounter against Congo would go a long way towards restoring the pride of the nation which has been in dire straits in recent years, Vilakazi said.
"It’s never an easy game because they want to win and we want to win as well. I am hoping that we will get the positive results and see ourselves playing in the AFCON."
Bafana are set to return to the country after the match for the return leg against Congo in Polokwane at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
