Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena says his side should treat their second leg clash against Botswana in the Chan qualifiers as a new ball game.

The 20-year-old, who featured during the first leg victory over the Zebras, is set to miss out on the return leg after he was recalled by SuperSport United.

Mokoena says his side have to take the second leg as a new game, despite their two goal advantage over Botswana.

‘Yes, the lead is an advantage but doesn’t mean much. If we were able to score two goals away, then it certainly means they can do the same,’ Mokoena said.

‘We have to treat this as a new ball game where the score is 0-0. We have to work hard and ensure that we win this game so as to proceed to the next round.

‘We should have the same mentality as we had in the first leg so we can win again. We need to defend well, keep a clean and that will help us proceed further in the qualifiers.’

The Bethlehem-born midfielder says Stuart Baxter’s side should stick to their previous game plan, which saw them claim a 2-0 win over Botswana in the first leg.

‘The match went according to plan, just the way we wanted it. We worked very hard to get the positive result, and that is a positive when they come to us in South Africa for the second leg,’ he added.

‘It was a tough match but we were able to manage it very well by following the coach’s instructions and that’s how we were victorious.’

South Africa and Botswana are set to go head-to-head in the Chan qualifier second leg the Moruleng Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 15:00.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix