President Cyril Ramaphosa wished Bafana Bafana good luck in the crunch match on Tuesday night at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in San Pedro, Ivory Coast.
The team is playing FIFA World Cup semi-finalist and tournament favourite Morocco, in the last 16 of the tournament.
“Bafana Bafana is playing tonight, and they’re going to win without any doubt.
“I would like you to send them a good luck message from me and tell them I expect them to win. I’m here with their skipper coach, the Minister (Zizi Kodwa).
“The whole nation is behind them, we want them to play their hearts out and make sure that they win today, and once they win it basically means that they would be able to bring the cup home. So good luck to the boys,” said Ramaphosa.
Despite the pressure on the team, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, said anything is possible and adamant that they can beat Morocco again.
He cited that most of the tournament’s favourites and former champions, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, and Algeria, have already been sent home.
“We already beat Morocco a year ago and we can do it again. Anything is possible and we want to create another surprise in this competition. We’re confident, we believe in ourselves and in what we can do.
“I think we’ll have to go into this match with the same frame of mind we’ve had recently, but I want us to be at a very high level,” explained Broos.
He said both teams are aware about the importance of the game, adding that only a win would suffice for Bafana Bafana.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, said the match is important for the country.
“The game we will play tomorrow (Tuesday) is big for us. But everyone back home, they will be watching this game. I think we can do well, then everyone back home will also be happy,” said Sithole.
The match is scheduled for 22:00.
