While Ronwen Williams and Percy Tau remain key members of the Bafana Bafana setup, forward Oswin Appollis refuses to blame their absence for the slow start in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Bafana are in South Sudan searching for the first victory of the qualifiers against the Bright Stars at Juba Stadium on Tuesday at 15:00, South African time.
Appollis and company got their campaign to secure a spot in the finals of the continental showpiece to be staged in Morocco off the ground with a disheartening two-all draw against Uganda in Johannesburg on Friday.
Skipper and first-choice goalkeeper Williams is nursing an injury while Tau was left out of the team by coach Hugo Broos due to lack of game time at Al Ahly.
Williams’ absence was probably felt more when stand-in goalkeeper Veli Mothwa’s grave mistake helped Uganda take a 2-1 lead at Orlando Stadium.
Mothwa’s butter fingers saw Bafana fight hard to get a late equaliser through Thalente Mbatha.
Appollis said while there’s space for Williams and Tau, the 23-man squad picked by Broos and his technical team can do the job against South Sudan.
“The group we have at the moment is very strong. Everyone is capable of doing well for the national team,” Appollis told media in South Sudan.
“There’s a reason why we have been chosen to the squad that we have now.
“About the absence of Ronwen and Tau, our group is very strong though here and there you can say there has been (space for Tau and Ronwen) but this squad is capable enough to get us the three points.”
Bafana are expected to do everything to get maximum points to close the gap between them and Group K leaders Uganda and Congo.
The Cranes lead the group by four points after they beat Congo 2-0 on Monday.
Congo are second in the group following their 1-0 victory over the Bright Stars in their first fixture of the qualifiers.
South Sudan, yet to register a point, will hope the heat and artificial pitch, which Bafana aren’t comfortable playing on, work in their favour to cause an upset.
Bafana are overwhelming favourites to beat the 169th-ranked Bright Stars. South Africa are ranked 57th in the world while occupying the 10th spot in Africa.
You can place a bet on this match and other games here.
Betting odds
52/10 South Sudan | Draw 39/20 | South Africa 13/20
Bafana Bafana 🇿🇦 vs 🇸🇸 South Sudan #BafanaPride #AFCONQualifier
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 9, 2024
Where to tune in tomorrow.... 📺 📻 pic.twitter.com/atNPww7S1x
