Johannesburg - Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Mandla Masango has warned that Bafana Bafana can ill-afford to take lowly-ranked Mauritania lightly.
Bafana play the host country, ranked 114th in the world rankings, in Nouakchott on Saturday night (kick-off 7pm) in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifier.
Speaking after South Africa’s final training session before Thursday’s departure, Masango insists they know what lies ahead.
“It’s going to be a tough encounter because Mauritania are an unknown nation to us, we haven’t played them before,” he said. “We are well aware of how they played against Cameroon in their opening qualifier, so we cannot afford to take things for granted, we should go there and give it our all.
“We have a good group of players, full of confidence, and a lot of experience, but we have to put that to good use and ensure we return victorious. We are positive we will get the result we want because a negative result will set us back big time in the qualifiers.”
This is the first time Masango is in the national team since his move to Randers FC in Denmark. He also scored on debut for his new club.
“For me, coming to the national team as an overseas-based player is the same feeling,” he said. “It’s always an honour to represent South Africa and I am grateful to have received a call-up because it’s every player’s dream to play for their country.”
“And about my new home, there is a lot of difference with the kind of football I played in South Africa.
“There they move the ball quicker, they see an empty space even before they receive the ball, they don’t waste time on the ball. They are more tactically aware of what is happening.”
Masango is happy the move materialised as it was always his wish to play abroad.
“In life, no pain, no gain. You have to know what you want and stick to what you want because at the end of the day, your life is in your hands, nobody owns your life.
“I thank God for the opportunity because some players don’t get a chance to play overseas so I count myself as blessed.”
Meanwhile, Bafana arrived safely in Nouakchott after a 10-hour flight which included an hour’s stopover for refuelling in Libreville, Gabon.
Today will be the first time Bafana play Mauritania since readmission to world football in 1992.
Shake Mashaba’s men arrived to hot, humid conditions with temperatures hovering around 29º C just after 11pm.
After a slow start in the qualifiers with a goalless draw against Gambia in Durban in June, Bafana know that nothing but a win will help them stay within touching distance with log leaders Cameroon.
“We don’t know so much about them, but this is a must-win game for us,” Bafana midfielder Dean Furman said.
“We got off to a draw in the first match of the qualifiers and we know how competitive these groups are as our last AFCON experience showed us, so it is important to get those three points and that’s all we will be playing for.”
The new SuperSport United player believes it should not matter where they play - the important thing is the result.
“I wouldn’t say we play well away, every game is different. I think our home form is something we need to work on where we need to impose ourselves and make it a difficult place for teams,” Furman said.
“Before the last AFCON, our away form was being questioned but we have to apply ourselves whether we are away or home and go for a win.
“The more experience we have the better it is for the squad - it is good to see Itu (Itumeleng Khune) back and fully fit, he will be a big player - both on and off the pitch - and that kind of experience from playing on the continent is vital and can only bode well for us trying to have a successful campaign.”
His sentiments were echoed by defender Anele Ngcongca.
“All the games we play are very important, but this one (Saturday) is more so because we did not do well in our first game when we played to a draw against Gambia,” he said.
“So this one is a must-win to catch up with Cameroon who are top of our group.
“We have to go out there and give them the respect they deserve, but not too much because both want the same thing - three points and nothing else - so we have to use our quality to come back victorious. I believe the team is well prepared, we must go out there and deliver.”
Ngcongca has just made a move from Racing Genk in Belgium to League 1 side Troyes in France.
ANA