Bafana coach Mosimane wary of Eritrea’s star striker

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is wary of Eritrea’s quality striker Ali Sulieman as his team seek to notch a crucial ‘away’ win in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group D qualifier on Wednesday.

The clash is being held at Al Salam Stadium on the outskirts of Cairo (6pm SA time) as Eritrea do not have a Confederation of Africa-approved home venue.

Mosimane knows the advantage of a neutral venue strengthens his team’s chances of fortifying their place at the top of Group D, where they find themselves thanks to their 2-1 win against a tough Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in their qualifying opener and the coach’s first match back in his second tenure.

Mosimane pointed out Eritrea earned an impressive 1-1 draw in their opener against coach Benni McCarthy’s Kenya in Nairobi on Saturday, so 50^th-ranked Bafana need to not go into the clash against the 184^th-ranked East Africans expecting a mismatch.

The Bafana coach said he watched Eritrea’s 4-1 aggregate win against Eswatini in a preliminary round qualifier to enter Group D — where Sulieman, who turns out for Al Masry in Egypt, scored three of the goals — and their clash against Kenya, and determined them a handy combination.

“The most important thing is to give respect to the opponents because they are in the group and they qualified to be there,” Mosimane said.

“We saw them against Eswatini. They managed to win to qualify so we respect them for that.

“They’ve got their striker who scores all the time [Sulieman], the guy even plays here in Egypt. He’s their top scorer, he’s fast, shoots from any angle whether from the left or right and is deadly at set-pieces and also penalties.

“So yes, that’s one important guy who’s very tricky who we have to look after.

“They have been good. They gave Kenya a scare too. Kenya had to come and equalise in the end in Kenya – that’s a big one.

Mosimane stressed Bafana also need to remember their quality and keep it in mind attempting to boss the game.

We played well last time [against Guinea]. Yes, we missed a few good chances, and we also need a little bit of improvement, the same as any other team.

We need to show the same attitude against Eritrea — they managed to get a point in Kenya.

—  Pitso Mosimane

“We played properly, we respected the country. And that is what I expect the boys to do, to show respect to the flag and no slouching, no walking; to be fighting and working hard.

“We need to show the same attitude against Eritrea — they managed to get a point in Kenya.”

Apart from Sulieman, Eritrea also have the scorer against Kenya — Nahom Netabaym who turns out for Swedish top flight outfit Degerfors IF — as a danger man in their midfield.

Aubrey Modiba limped off injured against Guinea. Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Fawaaz Basadien would be his natural replacement at left-back if Modiba is not available.

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