11 March 2019 – Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter has announced a 24-man squad to take on Libya in the final round of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The match will take place on Sunday, 24 March 2019 Stade Taieb Mhiri in Sfax, Tunisia.

Kickoff is at 18h00 local time (19h00 South African time).

Baxter has kept the bulk of the players that have been doing duty for Bafana Bafana in the last five AFCON qualifiers.

“It’s good to have almost everyone back on board because there is no doubt how crucial this match is – no one needs a reminder of that,” said Baxter.

Bafana Bafana are in second position in Group E, and need just a point to book their place at the 2019 AFCON tournament, which will be held June in Egypt. Nigeria, who are also in Group E, has already qualified for the showpiece.

South Africa is on nine points, just one adrift of the Super Eagles, but two ahead of Libya.

“We are well aware of what we need to do – the mission is clear, win your match and you are safe. It is very dangerous to play for draw as it can come back to bite you – the match will dictate how we handle things but our approach from the onset is to go out there and win the match,” added Baxter.

“They want it as much as we do, so it is going to be battle royale in Tunisia and I am confident my players will be ready for it. I am optimistic they will leave everything on the field to make sure we cross that line.”

Bafana Bafana is the only side in Group E that is yet to lose a game after five rounds of matches. They have conceded only one goal – in the 1-1 draw against Nigeria.

Libya on the other hand has won two and drawn the same number of fixtures – and they are the highest scoring team in the group with 15 goals, but have conceded second highest goals – nine.

Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Saturday, 16 March and depart the same day for Tunisia.

The last match between South Africa and Libya ended in a goalless draw in Durban.

The Total Africa Cup of Nationstournament will be played from 21 June to 19 July.

It will be hosted by Egypt, after Cameroon was stripped the rights to host the showpiece.

 

GROUP E RESULTS SO FAR:

 

9 June 2017

Libya                        5 – 1        Seychelles 

10 June 2017

Nigeria                     0 – 2        South Africa

 

8 September 2018

South Africa       0 – 0        Libya

Seychelles           0 – 3        Nigeria

 

13 October 2018

South Africa        6 – 0        Seychelles

Nigeria                  4 – 0        Libya

 

16 October 2018

Seychelles          0 – 0         South Africa

Libya                   2 – 3        Nigeria

 

16 November 2018

Seychelles          1 – 8        Libya

17 November 2018

South Africa       0 – 0        Nigeria

 

 22 March 2019:

Nigeria                   vs             Seychelles

24 March 2019:

Libya                       vs             South Africa

 

 

LATEST GROUP E STANDINGS:

 

                                       P               W             L                D               GF        GA           GD           Pts

Nigeria                            5               3               1               1               11            5               6               10

SA                                   5               2               0               3               9               1               8               9

Libya                               5               2               2               1               15            9               6               7

Seychelles                       7               0               4               1               2               22            -20           1

 

 

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD vs LIBYA – AFCON QUALIFIER

GOALKEEPERS	PLAYER’S NAME	CLUB
1.	Darren KEET	Bidvest Wits FC (SA
2.	Ronwen WILLIAMS	Supersport United FC (SA)
3.	Bruce  BVUMA	Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
DEFENDERS:
4.	Daniel CARDOSO	Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
5.	Rivaldo COETZEE	Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
6.	Aubrey MODIBA	Supersport United FC (SA)
7.	Thulani HLATSHWAYO	Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
8.	Innocent  MAELA	Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
9.	S’Fiso HLANTI	Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
10.	Buhle MKHWANAZI	Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
11.	Thamsanqa MKHIZE	Cape Town City FC (SA)
MIDFIELDERS:
12.	Bongani  ZUNGU	Amiens SC FC (FRANCE)
13.	Hlompho  KEKANA	Mamelodi Sundowns FC  (SA)
14.	Dean FURMAN	Supersport United FC (SA)
15.	Kamohelo  MOKOTJO	Brentford FC (ENGLAND)
16.	Samuel MABUNDA	Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
17.	Thulani SERERO	SBV Vitesse FC (Netherlands)
18.	ThembinkosiLORCH	Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
19.	Themba ZWANE	Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
STRIKERS
20.	Lebo MOTHIBA	Racing Club De Strasbourg FC (France)
21.	Percy TAU	Royal Union Saint FC (Belgium)
22.	Lars VELDWIJK	Sparta Rotterdam FC (NED)
23.	Lebogang MABOE	Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
24.	Keagan  DOLLY	Montpellier FC (FRANCE)

SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.