AFCON qualifiers: Sudden pressure on Bafana Bafana to beat Ghana

Bafana Bafana suddenly find themselves under immense pressure to beat Ghana in Thursday’s AFCON qualifier at the FNB Stadium.

Kick-off for the encounter is at 6PM SA time.   

And here is why…

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Sudan moved level on points with both Bafana Bafana and the Black Stars following a comfortable 2-0 win over Sao Tome on Wednesday.

The three countries are on nine points with Bafana Bafana now needing to beat Ghana to avoid complicating things ahead of their final match which will be away to Sudan on Sunday.

While Sudan have already played a game more, anything less than three points against Ghana would leave Bafana Bafana in a very dangerous position.

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A win for South Africa against Ghana will undoubtedly ease the pressure on Molefi Ntseki going into the team’s final group match because even a draw against Sudan would be enough to see them qualify for the finals in Cameroon.

Ghana would certainly fancy their chances against bottom-placed Sao Tome even if they don’t get maximum points in South Africa.

However, that would mean Bafana Bafana should avoid defeat against third-placed Sudan in Khartoum.

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Molefi Ntseki’s men defeated Sudan 1-0 in the first leg, and it is for that reason they are second on the standings behind the Black Stars of Ghana.

Nonetheless, Sudan have fought their way back into the qualification race and will certainly not make it easy for Bafana.