Sports
Rohr backs South Africa to qualify for 2019 AFCON ahead of Libya
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has backed the Bafana Bafana of South Africa to qualify ahead of Libya for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr said this much after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Bafana in a matchday 5 of the qualifying series in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The result meant the Eagles, on 10 points, have sealed their spot in next year finals, and the second ticket from Group E is up for grabs between South Africa and Libya, who are on 9 and 7 points respectively.
“We expected a tough match because we knew South Africa is a very good team,” the German coach said after the game.
“They had not conceded a goal in the qualifiers and the challenge was to score against this very good goalkeeper (Kune Itumeleng) which we did.
Read Also: Super Eagles qualify for 2019 AFCON after draw Vs South Africa
“We tried to score the second goal because we played to win all the time, but we didn’t want to take any risk.
“South Africa are a very good team and in the second half, they made it very difficult for us after we started the game very well.”
The Super Eagles defeated Libya home and away following a 3-0 thrashing of Seychelles in Victoria on matchday 2. And Rohr believes Bafana can also overcome the North Africans.
He said: “We played against a very good Libya side in Sfax and I think if South Africa play the way they did against us in March with the impressive Percy Tau, they can win and qualify.”
Recall that South Africa won their opening game in the qualifying series against Nigeria in Uyo, and drew goalless in their second match against Libya.
Speaking also after Saturday’s game, Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter said he is disappointed over the result, but is impressed with the performance of some of his players.
“Disappointed, frustrated but happy for some of the players,” he said. “I sit here knowing we had a chance to win today. We took four points off Nigeria but we could’ve done more.”
The matchday 6 of the qualifying series will take place in February next year, and Nigeria will host Seychelles while Libya will host Bafana.
The CAF tournament will hold from June to July, 2019.
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