POLOKWANE – For the first time in history, the national soccer team Bafana Bafana will stage an official international match within the boundaries of Limpopo Province. Bafana will host Swaziland, or Isihlangu, as they are widely known at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Pokowane tomorrow afternoon (Saturday).

Bafana, who arrived in Polokwane on Monday afternoon, have reasons to believe that they will use Swaziland as the stepping stone to reach the finals of the Cosafa Castle Cup. According to their coach, Mr Shakes Mashaba they are taking the match seriously and will do everything to ensure that they bring the cup to South Africa for the first time.

In an interview with the Isihlangu coach, Mr Dumisa Mahlalela told Mirror that he was worried about the fact that three of his key players, Joe Simelane, Mxolisi Mthetwa and Fanzile Dlamini will not be available for selection tomorrow. According to him the trio sustained injuries during their training sessions last weekend.

Despite all the odds, Mahlalela stated that he was still confident that his boys would make his country proud at the end of the day. The player who can cause havoc to Bafana Bafana, if not tightly marked, is Sbusiso Dlamini who is currently trading his skills with Black Leopards.

The 22-member Bafana Bafana squad that was announced last Thursday comprises of André Arendse, Brian Baloyi, Cyril Nzama, Mathew Booth, David Kanemeyer, Thabang Molefe, Tony Coyle, Gary MacNab, Peter Khobane, Clement Mazibuko, Jabu Pule, Stanton Fredericks, Benedict Vilakazi, Jimmy Kauleza and Lesley Manyathela. According to a statement from the South African Football Association, the tickets for the match were selling like hot cakes at the time of going to press.

The match will start at 15:00.