DEAN Furman flipped the script and spoke from the heart, dropping the PR-speak that his coach and some of his teammates have used when asked what Bafana Bafana can do in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Stuart Baxter has been saying that this tournament is about learning as this is a team under construction; while Bongani Zungu said that there are no mandates. But the former Bafana captain isn’t singing from the same hymn book as Baxter and Zungu.
“We believe! This is a strong team, coming into the tournament with a lot of confidence based on our qualification campaign where we went undefeated,” Furman said, speaking from Bafana’s base in Cairo, Egypt.
“Certainly our victory away against Nigeria, our performance against them at home and our crucial victory against Libya away gives us a lot to be confident about. The first target is to get out of the group, thereafter it’s a knockout competition and anything is possible.
“But we have to get out of the group which is our first target. We are not looking beyond that at the moment.”
The side was supposed to play their last friendly against Angola yesterday, leaving them with the serious business of preparing for their opening match against Ivory Coast on Monday at Al Salam Stadium in Egypt’s capital, but the match was called off in the morning.
The Ivorians, two-time African champions, are also a team under construction after losing their golden generation that finally added a second crown to their country’s name by conquering the continent in 2015. They are open for the taking.
Group of death
Bafana’s good record against them should also give Baxter’s men confidence that they can get the better of the Elephants. Namibia and Morocco complete Group D - the Afcon’s group of death.
Morocco are one of the favourites, especially with two-time Afcon winner Herve Renard managing them and the Atlas Lions boasting a tough, disciplined and united team. Namibia will offer Bafana the toughest challenge.
Bafana’s knack for doing badly in games they should win is well documented.
Ivory Coast and Morocco will test their tactical acumen while Namibia, with a number of South Africa-based players, will test their mental strength.
Bafana might not be genuine contenders, but they are a team that can pose an upset having shown their strength and discipline in the qualifiers.
Their storming display in the qualifiers has led to a section of fans in the continent tipping them as a team to watch.
“I don’t think that we are favourites,” Furman said. “The powerhouses of African football can be the favourites. We are happy with where we are. We’ve got quality in this team.
“We are not even favourites in our group because we were in pot three and we have teams from pot one and two to play against, and of course a very strong Namibia team as well.
“I don’t think that we are favourites in the tournament and in our group, but we are confident in our squad and that’s what is important.
“We are not too concerned with what people are saying or aren’t saying. We just know that if we perform, we can achieve big things in this tournament.”
Related Topics: