JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has expressed appreciation after the men’s senior national soccer team, Bafana Bafana was given more days to prepare for the upcoming 2019 AFCON qualifier against Libya.
This comes after the SAFA Acting CEO, Russell Paul, and the team’s head coach Stuart Baxter, had a discussion with the National Soccer League (NSL) where they requested that some matches be moved to accommodate the team in their preparations for the Libya clash later in March.
Paul said they were very grateful to the NSL, the Board of Governors and the clubs for their understanding when they made this request.
“This move is an indication of their unwavering support to SAFA and Bafana Bafana at such a very crucial time when the men’s senior national team prepares for the most important match thus far this year,
“This support from the NSL and its clubs will assist the head coach and his team to have additional time to prepare the team for this all-important clash and we can only wish the squad all the best and convey to them that they have the support of the entire country,” said Paul.
Baxter acknowledged that they know just how difficult it was for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the clubs to agree to their request, with all the preparations already in place.
“We are eternally grateful for this gesture as it means a lot. When I started with my job as the national team coach, I always preached cooperation among all the stakeholders, and this is proof that when we come together we can do what’s best for the nation,” said Baxter.
He is confident that Bafana Bafana can only prosper, with the nation behind them. South Africa is second with nine points, just one behind the already qualified Nigeria in Group E, while Libya has seven points.
The away clash will take place on the weekend of 22, 23 and 24 March at a venue that is still yet to be decided. Baxter is expected to name his squad to face Libya, early in March.
© Bur-JHB – B.M / N.N – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_en
