Bafana Bafana defender Nkosinathi Sibisi says there is nothing friendly about Saturday’s match against Zambia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
South Africa host their COSAFA rivals as both teams prepare for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco in December. Coach Hugo Broos will be assessing his recent call-ups while also trying to create combinations in his side.
After finishing as the third-best team at the last AFCON edition in Ivory Coast, expectations are higher on Bafana to at least reach the final. They have not been crowned African champions since 1996 when they lifted the continental trophy on home soil.
In preparing for the trip to Morocco as a well-prepared unit, Sibisi says they will go all-out against Chipolopolo in Gqeberha.
“We totally agree with the coach [Broos], there is no such thing as a friendly game. As soon as you wear that jersey and you are on that field, it’s war, but a peaceful war. So, come Saturday, all guns blazing,” said Nkosinathi Sibisi.
“The motivation is always the same whenever we are in camp, whether we are playing a friendly game or a qualifier. We have always trained as if it were our last session because we don’t take it for granted to be here. It is always a privilege to be here, and you have to earn your spot to play.”
BAFANA PLAYERS’ FIGHT FOR AFCON PLACES
Sibisi insists that their minds are on Saturday’s game and they are not thinking of AFCON. However, players will be pushing to impress Broos and stay in the coach’s plans for Africa’s ultimate football tournament.
“For us, it is just about taking one game at a time. We know we have a mammoth task against Zambia at home. We are playing at home and we have to make it count,” said the Orlandi Pirates captain.
The performances have been showing throughout the period in the two to three years we have been with the coach. So at the weekend, it won’t be any different. We can’t look ahead of ourselves and think of AFCON. We have to think about this game on Saturday.
“It is always nice to play against your neighbours, but for us it’s a matter of continuity. To get momentum is always difficult, so we are trying to keep it within the group.”
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