Bafana coach wary of Botswana threat

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Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter

Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter has warned his side that Botswana will not be a walkover ahead of their second leg clash in the Chan qualifier on Saturday.

The South African national team head into their second leg encounter with a two-goal lead over the Zebras, following their victory in the first leg in Francistown through goals from Ryan Moon and Gift Motupa .

Baxter says he is well-aware that the visiting side will not be a walkover, despite taking a two-goal lead going into the second leg clash.

‘Just go back in time and say Botswana has never been an easy opponent, no matter what level we played,’ Baxter said.

‘In Cosafa we beat them and we also beat them now in the Chan, and we did so because we played quite well in two games, but this won’t be an easy game.

‘We are rotating our squad, we are playing in a different way, the players are going to be challenged, and if we don’t get our attitude right we could tread on a landmine.’

The Bafana Bafana mentor continued to say that he knows the Zebras will not hold back and come out guns blazing from the get-go.

‘I think it’s worth challenging the players in a game where the result is not a foregone conclusion,’ he added.

‘We are not playing against a team that has no players or a poor coach – we are playing against a team that probably has nothing to lose. My father used to say to me, “beware the man who has nothing to lose”.

‘We are going to have to get our game right. Botswana played one game against us where they were very physical, bordering on brutal, and they played the next game against us where they were very tactical.

‘They wanted to keep the ball for long periods and really wanted to play – we had answers in both games, so I am hoping we have an answer in this one as well.’

The winner between South Africa and Botswana will face the victors in the clash between Zambia and Swaziland in the third and final round.

Bafana Bafana against Botswana kicks off at 15:00.