View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Tebogo Moerane says South Africa Under-23 loss to Senegal is unthinkable

The winner-takes-all Olympic qualifying showdown at Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar kicks off at 18h00 South African time on Saturday.

“We lost the first game against them but this time it will be a different game altogether and under different circumstances,” explains Moerane.

“We have prepared well and I think we are ready to take them on. It’s a very important match for all of us – the players, management and our country because we all want to go to the Olympics and this is a decider for us.

“We all know tomorrow is a must-win game, and a loss is unthinkable, it’s a real do-or-die game for us.”

Moerane denies suggestions that Owen da Gama’s side are under pressure after performing below expectations in Senegal.

“We are not under pressure, and I believe we can turn things around and win the match against Senegal because our objective is Rio and we still have a chance to achieve it. We have to play our normal game, keep the focus, do our best and the result will come,” he says.

“We know it’s not going to be easy to play against the hosts in their backyard because there will be a lot of advantages for them, like they will have the crowd behind them, but all we need to do is to go there and fight.”

In the event of a draw at the end of regulation time, the winner will be determined by the taking of penalty kicks. There will be no extra-time.

Related tags

Comments