Niger will be ready to die on the field
Mena will be ready to die on the field
Posted: 2010-09-02 14:59
Pitso Mosimane and the Bafana Bafana squad must keep one thing in mind this weekend; they will be playing against 11 Niger-ians who will be more than ready to die on the field for their country.
The Mena have never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations even though they have been trying for the past 40 years. Up until 2000, their efforts were stop, start; either withdrawing and being penalised, or not entering at all.
However, over the past 10 years the cash-strapped and war-torn country, which is as big as South Africa but has a population less than Soweto - has been hard at it.
The Mena finally achieved part of their goal – qualifiying for the 2011 edition of CAF’s CHAN in Sudan - when they beat neighbouring the Super Eagles local squad 2-0 away in Kano during March this year. This was under former national Under-17 team coach Frederic Costa.
There is no love lost between the neighbouring countries and it was a heated affair even from before kick-off with the Super Eagles skipper getting a yellow card for first refusing to take the Niger flag from his opposing number Laoualy Idriss and then trampling it in the ground when he did.
Man of the Match that day was Mena’s keeper Losseďni Doumbia who was ably assisted by a tight defence of Koffi Dankowa , Alassane Mody, and Mohammed Abdoulaye. Doumbia even managed to save a dubious penalty.
Costa disclosed that their victory was achieved largely on the strength of their ability to hit back on the counter as well as through the support they are now getting from the country’s military rulers. Mena players all received a R14000 bonus for their victory over the Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the latest news here in South Africa is that Barney Kujane is set to lead Bafana Bafana as team manager at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Kujane was appointed interim manager for the senior national team during international friendly game against Ghana played at FNB Stadium as Bafana are currently without manager after Sipho Nkumane suspended on allegations of displaying animosity towards some members association include Lesley Sedibe before the World Cup.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mike Ntombela has been tipped to take over as manager for Bafana soon.
Safa communications director Morio Senyane confirmed that Kujane will be in charge this weekend.
More than 36 000 tickets for the match had already been sold by this morning.
: 2010-09-02 19:15
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