Bafana star achieves childhood dream

Bafana Bafana returned home on Wednesday as heroes. One of the new legends, Grant Kekana, has reflected on the journey to Ivory Coast.

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BAFANA BAFANA DEFENDER GRANT KEKANA ACHIEVES HIS DREAM

Speaking to the media from the OR Tambo International Airport, the Sundowns defender said winning bronze at Afcon 2023 was the stuff of dreams.

“It has been a good experience. This is something you dream of, especially as a child. We grow up being told how 1996 and 1998 [Bafana teams] were and how good the players were,” said Kekana, via FARPost.

“For us to experience such a tournament and actually play in it and to come back from how we started it’s a very good feeling and a very good group of guys that we have here. Also, not only good players but good human beings. 

“I just feel so good to be part of it. Obviously, we wanted to go all the way to the finals, but even receiving that bronze medal just shows the type of players we have. You know, we fought against all odds, and coming out third in such a difficult competition is just a good feeling,” the Bafana defender concluded.

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HOW SOUTH AFRICA WON BRONZE AT AFCON 2023

The campaign started with a glitch as South Africa lost 2-0 to Mali.

Hugo Broos’ men responded with a 4-0 win over Namibia before drawing 0-0 with Tunisia.

Bafana went on to shock Morocco 2-0 in the last 16 and then beat Cape Verde 0-0 (2-1) on penalties in the quarter-finals.

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South Africa eventually lost (1-1) 4-2 on penalties against Nigeria in the semi-finals before beating DR Congo in the third-place match to clinch the bronze medal.

“I said after Nigeria match that I was proud of this team, and I think people can see why I say I am proud of this team. We were not fresh but when you see the mentality in that group, it is impressive,” said Bafana coach Broos, quoted by All Africa.

“The boys did very well. They showed great mentality. They tried to do what I asked, and I understand that it was difficult. It shows that we if we have problems, we can count on those who are on the bench.

“I was satisfied with players on the pitch, but I was even more satisfied with those not on the pitch. They were encouraging them and pushing them. From this, you know that you have 23 guys who want one thing and that is winning.

“With this third place, we don’t have to think now everything is okay, there is still a lot of work to do,” the Belgian coach added.

“But I think the basic is there, everyone knows now that when they play for the national team, what we expect from a player, is the good mentality, and we show it,” the tactician continued.

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“If you can play all those games like my team did then you have the right mentality so again the basics is there now. The players are there now, even though we still have to go and work on it and try to progress with the team.

“But yes, we are two steps further than two years ago and I think this is very important,” the Bafana mentor concluded.

You can find more articles from Siseko Gwegwe here.