Convinced legend tips Bafana for a semi-final finish

Bafana Bafana are capable of securing a semi-final spot in the AFCON tournament, legend Matthew Booth tips the side.

Coached by a former AFCON winner Hugo Broos, Booth believes Bafana are capable of making it to the semi-finals – reports Sowetan.

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The former Bafana skipper and 2010 FIFA World Cup campaigner says the current squad is also able to play different formations and can make it to the semis.

Booth, a revered Bafana legend and former Mamelodi Sundowns defender says this as the 1996 African kings arrived in Cote d’Ivoire for the AFCON tournament.

Bafana left Mzansi on Thursday morning and will get their Group E account underway against Mali on Tuesday next week.

CONVINCED LEGEND TIPS BAFANA FOR A SEMI-FINAL FINISH

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When analysing Bafana’s AFCON opponents, the legend Booth argues that Broos and his troops must beat Namibia and avoid losses to Mali and Tunisia.

Should Bafana successfully avoid two defeats and send Namibia packing, that will enable the team to reach the semi-finals – says the legend, Booth.

 “I am hoping for a semifinal or possibly even a final. I really believe Bafana can at least get to the semifinals,” Booth tells Sowetan.

“Our team hasn’t had the greatest preparations but they can use the first game to get into the tournament.

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“If we can avoid a defeat in the first game against Mali, I think we will settle our nerves. We have a balanced team full of hungry players.”

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Looking at the previous AFCON tournaments, Bafana last made it to the last four back in 2000 when they clinched the third spot.

While he says Group E is tough, the television pundit and legend adds that it is winnable should Bafana respect the opposition.

“Why do I say the squad is pretty balanced? We can play 4-2-4 and 4-2-1-3. The coach chose two 6s in [Siphephelo] Sithole and [Teboho] Mokoena [in fact there Thabang Monare as well who’s a 6]… Mvala,” adds Booth.

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“I know he’s carrying an injury but can also play as a 6 and as a centre-back. Jayden Adams is the only No 8 because the coach wants to play with two 6s.

“Defensively I think we are balanced as well because all the centre-backs have played together in the past and the full-backs, [Aubrey] Modiba and [Khuliso] Mudau are both from Sundowns and they have that telepathy.

“Our group is a winnable group. We should be able to beat Namibia and avoid losing against Mali and Tunisia.”

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