Libya coach Adel Amrouche has admitted he believes that South Africans are the best players on the continent, but Bafana Bafana lack a top-quality forward.
Bafana Bafana are currently preparing to come up against Amrouche and his Libyan side in a crunch Group E Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
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Libya go into the clash at the top of Group E after their 5-1 opening game win over Seychelles, but are only separated from second-place Bafana on goal difference, after Stuart Baxter picked up a historic three points with victory over Nigeria in Uyo.
Speaking to TimesLive, Amrouche admitted he knows the South African team well, having followed their progress over the years.
‘I know Bafana Bafana very well,’ he said.
‘Each coach who has been in charge of SA has come with his own philosophy.
‘When the Brazilian was there [Carlos Alberto Parreira], there was one kind of football, when [Pitso] Mosimane was there then they played another style and now with [Stuart] Baxter, it is different again.
‘But the quality of the players remains the same. With South African players, who are always getting creative football and I think for me, in terms of African football, they have the best quality of individual players.
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‘Baxter likes to play on the counter and they can score every time,’ the Libya coach added.
‘South African football has everything but, yes, they don’t have a special striker who can finish off the chances.
‘There are great wingers, midfielders, defenders who come forward at set pieces in the South African team.
‘But let’s be realistic, in Africa, there are only five or six proper strikers.’
With the likes of Keagan Dolly, Percy Tau and Bradley Grobler in the squad, Bafana will be looking for a positive performance and result against the Mediterranean Knights.
Bafana Bafana and Libya will battle it out on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm.
