Bafana Bafana defender Terrence Mashego insists that unity within the team’s camp is the reason they have progressed to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mashego says the team’s success cannot be credited to Mamelodi Sundowns or any other club.
Bafana are due to face Nigeria in a semifinal tie in Bouake on Wednesday.
The team’s progression to the last four has been hailed by many fans and pundits alike, as a result of Broos selecting the 10 Sundowns players in the squad.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui had highlighted Downs’ players influence in the South African team before their last 16 clash last week. Regragui spoke of their CAF Champions League experience and the African Football League title triumph in November.
“I’d say this tournament has been unpredictable, so for us? What was important was to believe, so we really believed we’d go this far, that was the most important part,” he said.
“In the national team it’s different, it’s not about Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs or Pirates, it’s about individuals getting together and being a team. It’s not about Sundowns or any team, it’s about us being together,” he said when asked by IDiski Times.
Mashego played his first game of the tournament when he came on as a substitute in the win over Cape Verde.
Mashego is adamant Bafana will be up to the task on matchday.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, you know Nigeria has a good squad but also on out outside we have a good squad, so it’s going to be a very good game,” Mashego said.
“We’re [confident] in our defence, we’ve gone for four games without conceding, [like Nigeria] we’re ready for any battle.
“I’d say we don’t want to pressurise ourselves, so we just have to take it one game at a time and we might find ourselves in the final,” he said.
