‘CT Stadium will suit Bafana’

South Africa face a must-win game against their Group A opponents on Saturday after two disappointing draws that have left them in third place, and Igesund believes Cape Town Stadium will provide him and his players with the best opportunity to make up lost ground.

“I brought this game to Cape Town because we have always had a very good feeling here. I’ve only been here once with the team for the game against Norway, and the vibe that we got was a fantastic one,” he says.

“People of Cape Town are very passionate about their football, as they are all around the country. I know they [Cape Town fans] were not involved in the Africa Cup of Nations – we would have loved them to be – but it’s not only about us liking Cape Town and enjoying the fantastic crowd, I also think the stadium will suit us.

“It’s a nice a big stadium, and Central African Republic are a team that want to play on a small ground, want to close people down, want to kick – they’re quite a physical team – so I think Cape Town Stadium is ideal for this game.

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“If we can play football according to the squad I selected; keep the ball, knock it around and play very attacking football with a lot of possession, I think we can get a positive result.”

Igesund also reveals the decision to play the match at night was his.

“It’s important that we play a night game – I know Central African Republic don’t like playing at night, even though 19 of them are playing in Europe. Most of them are used to playing under lights, but it’s not easy playing in Cape Town; even in the league teams come to Cape Town and they always battle.

“Like I said, we have a very big advantage playing in Cape Town, especially if it’s one of those nights where the wind comes up and it’s a bit rainy.”

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