Group G is wide open for the taking with South Africa holding the slimmest of leads, a one-point margin separating Bafana Bafana from Ethiopia and Ghana. South Africa will travel to Ethiopia, with the setting being the Bahir Dar Stadium on Saturday where the hosts have never lost a qualification match and will be looking to take full advantage of the edge they possess when playing in front of their home supporters. While the Walias are confident of getting the job done, Bafana Bafana fans have a sense of dread due to never having defeated their opponents in competitive action.
Bafana Bafana players Siyanda Xulu and Ronwen Williams paid respect to their opponents and emphasized that the team needs to be focused to the highest degree like they were in the opening two matches while ascending to the top of the group. Manager Hugo Broos struck a more confident tone, stating that he wants his young team to bring the energy from the opening whistle and control the match in order to keep Ethiopia from dictating the play. The high level of confidence from Broos could backfire, with the tactician stating that it is easier to win in Ethiopia than in Ghana, a statement that refuses to acknowledge just how difficult a task it can be to travel and win in the East African country.
On the other side, the opportunity is there for the hosts to boost their fortunes and move into a position where they can start thinking about contending for a chance to earn their first ever trip to the World Cup. A mixture of veteran and young talent can guide the Walias to success, especially in the attack where the team traditionally excels. Ethiopian Coffee striker Abubeker Nasser is highlighted along with veterans Getaneh Kebede and Egyptian-based Shimelis Bekele in an article from The Times, who consulted an Ethiopian journalist to discover who might give Bafana Bafana problems. Nasser scored 29 goals in 23 games for Ethiopian Coffee and will continue to boost his prospects for a move abroad if he can deliver in qualifying.
