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Bafana wary of sneak Libya attack

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Bongani Zungu (Gallo Images)
Bongani Zungu (Gallo Images)

Cape Town - Bongani Zungu has relied heavily on the internet to find information about Libya.

But, so far, the Bafana Bafana midfielder hasn't found much intelligence on the north Africans, against whom they resume their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier campaign with a tricky Group E fixture at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 15:00.

Zungu is expected to feature for his French team, Amiens SC, in their Ligue 1 fixture against Saint-Étienne tonight before boarding a flight home to join Bafana at camp in Durban.

Speaking from France, Zungu said he was hoping that the technical team had done enough homework on the Mediterranean Knights.

"I don't know much about them, but I expect the coaches (will) show us some clips on them so we can have an idea of how they play," said Zungu.

"What I know is that north African teams are tough. But I'm confident that we will be up to the challenge with the team that the coach has called up. It's an important game as we are also playing at home."

READ: Bafana lose Arendse ahead of Libya clash

Libya are a closed book and lack a real footprint in continental club tournaments.

They are coached by Algerian former player Adel Amrouche and as many as 11 players come from local league side Tripoli Al Ahli.

Libya are a strong team that once beat Egypt 4-1 in an Afcon qualifier and haven't lost to the Pharaohs in their back yard.

They won the 2014 African Nations Championship, which was held here in Mzansi, and have played in the 2006 and the 2012 Afcon finals.

"We have constant surprises on the continent of teams, which, five or six years ago, would have been whipping boys," said Bafana coach Stuart Baxter.

"Libya are more of a club team. Because of the war-torn country that they are from, they are almost constantly in camp together and have lots of time to prepare for games.

"I've seen them give Morocco a real scare. They may be without the household names like Senegal and Ivory Coast, but they will present a real challenge for us. And I would guess, with humility, that it has not been the strength of South Africa to take on some of these teams that on paper are not the greatest on the planet. This is a Libya team that is very much capable," said Baxter.

Tickets for the match are available for R60 at Computicket outlets and online, as well as at Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide.

This will be the second leg of the qualifiers and Bafana Bafana have three points from their away win in Nigeria in the opening fixture.

Libya thrashed the Seychelles 5-1 during their encounter in June.

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Darren Keet (Wits)

Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg United), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Thulani Hlatshwayo , S'Fiso Hlanti, Buhle Mkhwanazi (all Wits)

Midfielders: Dean Furman, Teboho Mokoena (all SuperSport United), Siphesihle Ndlovu (Maritzburg United), Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Zungu (Amiens, France), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford, England)

Strikers: Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Percy Tau (Royal Union, Belgium), Lebo Mothiba (Lille, France), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United)

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