South Africa will look to assert their dominance when they face Egypt in the first leg of their CHAN 2024 qualifying clash at the Free State Stadium on Sunday, 2 March 2025.
With home advantage on their side, coach Molefi Ntseki has emphasized the importance of securing a win to strengthen their position ahead of the return fixture in North Africa.
Ntseki calls for ruthlessness in attack and defence
Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Ntseki underlined the team’s determination to perform at their best and deliver a positive result in front of their home supporters.
He expressed confidence in the squad, highlighting their enthusiasm and readiness for the challenge ahead.
“The team we have put together, I think it is a team ready to represent the country with pride. The players we have in camp are very positive and enthusiastic, and they are looking forward to tomorrow’s game,” said Ntseki.
The South African coach stressed the need for a clinical approach, both in attack and defence, to ensure they head into the second leg with a strong advantage.
When you play this kind of game, you have to be very ruthless in the sense that you don’t concede any goals and you are eager to score goals at home so that when you go to the second leg, you have the advantage of maybe progressing to the next stage of the tournament,” he added.
Ntseki made it clear that securing a victory in the first leg is essential for his side’s hopes of qualification.
“Tomorrow, as I said, it will be a very important first leg at home and we have to play to win. Winning this game will put us in a very comfortable position to qualify for the next stage of this tournament.”
Crucial second leg awaits in Egypt
Following the first-leg clash, South Africa will travel to North Africa for the return fixture on 9 March 2025.
The outcome of Sunday’s encounter will determine how Ntseki’s men approach the decisive second leg, where Egypt will look to capitalize on home conditions to overturn any deficit.
With both teams eager to progress in the tournament, the upcoming matches promise to be fiercely contested.
South Africa will rely on their home crowd to inspire them to victory, while Egypt will aim to stay competitive ahead of the return leg.
The stage is set for an intense battle as the two sides fight for a place in the next round of CHAN 2024 qualification.
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