Monrovia-South Africa Bafana Bafana and Liberia Lone Star will on today Friday March 24th come face to face for the third time in the history of the Afcon qualifiers and the match is the second on South African soil.
By: Wleh Bedell Contributing writer
Both team are fighting to secure a place for the Afcon 2023 finals in the Ivory Coast Afcon where they will join group leaders Morocco for the football showpiece.
There will be some tense one on one battles at the Orlando stadium in Johannesburg in what should be a tricky battle.
Percy Tau vs Prince Balde
The Al-Ahly man will lead the Bafana Bafana attack in the decisive fixture. His lively nature, plenty of running, good work ethic and finishing are qualities that make him a class-act and will be hoping to have a good game to help his side wrap maximum points.
Prince Balde should however be aware of the threat the forward will be aiming to pose. Though Balde may not be the rugged or robust type of defender, but his intelligent marking where he is good at dispossessing opponents and good reading of the game shows he is a star who never press the panic button as he has faced the likes of Iheanacho and Osimhen both of Nigeria and he will no doubt be a tough opponent of the former Sundown’s man.
Lyle Foster vs Sampson Dweh
Foster scored South Africa’s goal in their 1-2 loss to Morocco in the last round of the qualifiers. The Burnley frontman on a given day can cause havoc to any backline and his fancy footwork and composure in the box makes him a difficult opponent to keep quiet.
Dweh has however been tested though as he along with Balde are regular in the Lone Star back line. His clever closing down of opponents, awareness and precision passing in build ups makes him a ball playing center back and is in no way a defender who can be easily overlooked.
Nkosinathi Sibisi vs William Jebor
The 27 year old Orlando Pirates defender is solid and hardworking. Good reading of the game and fond of playing from the back, but with a battle with Jebor, he has a lot of work to do and must be at a high concentration level. The battle between the duo would be a delight to watch and Jebor still has what it takes to pick the pocket of his marker via quality supply to finish, this battle will be a key factor in the match.
Grant Kekana vs Mohammed Kamara
The experienced full back at age 30, still has plenty of football in him. His vast speed, scampering down the wings in providing cleverly measured crosses makes him a handful.
The Mamelodi Sundown’s full-back will however be faced with the task of containing the debutant Mohammed Kamara whose pace, skills, and trickery could be a menace once he is settled in the fray.
Thaphelo Morena vs Tonia Tisdell
The Mamelodi Sundowns full-back is endowed with a great pace who is never shy of motoring forward. He is lethal during the attack and somewhat accurate under pressure and his duel with Tisdell who has shown over the years he is a left footed craftsman good at taking on opponents and mostly providing flat crosses in the box for teammates, Morena could have a tough time at the office.
Sphepelo Sithole vs Oscar Dorley
The 24 year old midfielder of Portuguese club Belenenses who is nicknamed “Yaya”, is a hardworking player and a descent passer of the ball. His mobility and wholehearted approach makes him an asset for the Bafana Bafana and will face an uphill battle with the twinkle Oscar.
Oscar has been the Lone Star most consistent performer in the last eight years as his incisive passing, clever reading of the game, influencing the game and team effort will make the battle with Sithole a determining factor in Friday’s match.
Luke Le Roux vs Nohan Kenneh
The 23 year old, two caps international of Sweden club Varbegs BOis midfielder will face debutant Kenneh in an interesting affair. Le Roux mobility and hard working ability will come under scrutiny as he engages the Scottish based midfielder of Ross county who is a fierce tackler of the ball with much tactical discipline.
Thebohi Makoena vs Allen Njei
The 26 year old, 15 caps, three goals international who plies his trade with Mamelodi Sundowns, is a midfield dynamo who is a lively figure in midfield and has powerful long range shots. In Allen who will often play between the lines, Theboho will have to play above himself in the contest as the pair will be itching to show a good outing in helping their respective teams.
Meanwhile Super Sports Variety 4, channel 209 in Liberia and other super sports channels throughout the continent will broadcast the game from the Stadium in Johannesburg at 16:00GMT.
NB: This is based on probable line up and nothing to do with the selection of starting line ups of both teams.