Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has told fans they will put on a show against Morocco this Saturday at the FNB Stadium.
The South African men’s national football team have been the laughing stock of Mzansi sports for jare now and attendances for their matches have been low all around the country.
Ahead of this weekend’s game, South Africa and the Atlas Lions have already booked their places at Afcon 2023 ahead of this weekend’s final Group K game.
Out of the final squad called up by Coach Hugo Broos, internationally based players Njabulo Blom, Percy Tau, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Luke Le Roux are expected to join camp later today. #AfconQ #AFCONQualifiers #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/KTsNH4o8YU
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 12, 2023
But the World Cup semifinalists aren’t here for spek en boontjies, with coach Walid Regragui bringing his ysters - Europa League-winning Sevilla duo Yassine Bounou and Youssef En-Nesyri, PSG rightback Achraf Hakimi, Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech to the party.
And Williams, whose span has lost just three times since coach Hugo Broos took the reins in June 2021, says they will go out to win both the match and the hearts of the public.
Addressing SA’s min lus for Bafana despite already qualifying for Afcon, Williams says: “It’s a bit disappointing.
“We got a lot of criticism for missing out the last time [Afcon 2021], and rightfully so, but now we have qualified and you don’t see any hype about it.
“I’d like to urge the fans to come and back us. We’ve only lost three games [to Ghana, France and Morocco] in the last two years.
“But we’ve done extremely good work and people must appreciate it.”
Captain Ronwen Williams testing for hamstring strength and deficits with the #Valdnordboard @UPTuks #AfconQ #AFCONQualifiers #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/5wcYaIIVKq
Remembering former Bafana coach Clive Barker, who died of Lewy Body Dementia at the age of 78 on Saturday, Williams adds: “He gives us all hope as players as the only coach to have won SA an Afcon. We hope to use his legacy as an inspiration going forward.”
matthew.marcus@inl.co.za