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| Siboniso Gaxa © Backpagepix |
A win over three times world champions Germany would be the best psychological boost Bafana Bafana could wish for in their preparations for the 2010 World Cup finals.
So said Bafana right back Siboniso Gaxa, who is set to get the
job of keeping the likes of either German striker Lucas Podolski or
Miroslav Klose, quiet when the teams clash in a friendly
international in Leverkusen on Saturday night. Kick-off is at
8.45pm.
The highly regarded Mamelodi Sundowns defender admitted it was
not going to be an easy game to win, but stressed Bafana were up
for the challenge.
Said Gaxa: "We know our record against European opposition in
Europe is not great but we are not going to let that worry us.
"This time it is different in that we are using the friendly
games against Germany and Ireland next week to prepare us for the
World Cup and that is why we have to fight and play this match as
hard as we can.
"We would score our biggest win ever if we could beat the highly
regarded Germans in their own back yard and to do that, we are
going to have to stay focused and work hard. "
But Gaxa stressed that while the ultimate goal was to make sure
Bafana were a competitive unit at the World Cup on home soil next
June, the two friendly internationals ahead were of crucial
importance in the build up.
Gaxa called for patience from the fans while head coach Joel
Santana gave new players and those on the fringe of national
selection, a chance to stake their claim to play next June.
"When we played with a settled side at the Confederations Cup it
worked and we did well finishing fourth.
"However, I and the other players in the squad know how
important it is to give other players a chance and the coach will
have to be given time in order to give those players a run, which
means we might lose some of our friendly matches."
Santana has stated his aim during the next months will be to
give as many players a fair crack at impressing him and his
technical team.
Gaxa, the first choice right back, is more than happy to take
newcomer Anele Ngongca, under his wing on this trip to Europe.
Ngongca came out of nowhere and was a complete surprise when the
Belgium based defender, who plays for Genk, was named by Santana in
his squad for the matches against Germany and Ireland.
"I will be happy to look after Ngongca and act as a mentor to
him and help him settle in."
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