Grant Kekana: Why Bafana can’t afford early AFCON exit

Ahead of their crunch Afcon contest against Tunisia, Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana explains why they can’t afford to go home and must avoid an early exit.

Kekana was in the starting eleven when they trounced Namibia 4-0 on Sunday night, he says they are ready for Tunisia and don’t want an early AFCON exit.

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The Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Kekana played together with Mothobi Mvala for Bafana as centre-backs as they bottled club teammate Peter Shalulile of Namibia.

In a press conference ahead of Bafana’s final Group E clash, Kekana states that the clash against the Afcon Carthage Eagles of Tunisia is a big game.

GRANT KEKANA: BAFANA CAN’T AFFORD EARLY AFCON EXIT

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Sitting second in the group, Bafana will face Tunisia at Afcon and the clash is slated for Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo at 19:00 –  Kekana previews the match.

“We’ve prepared well for Tunisia. Everyone is confident and everyone is looking forward to the game,” Kekana told the media per Sowetan.

“Obviously, it’s a big game and we don’t want to be going home early, so we will do our best to get a positive result against Tunisia.”

For the 1996 African Kings to make it to the Last 16, Bafana have to avoid a defeat tonight as they have three points from a single win and loss to Mali.

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Meanwhile, Kekana and his teammates will look to neutralise Tunisia as they have a chance of reaching the knockout stages as third-place finishers in case they lose to Tunisia and Mali beat Namibia in a synchronised Group E tie.

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Formerly on the books of the University of Pretoria and SuperSport United, the Bafana defender, Kekana was joined by coach Hugo Broos who revealed their Afcon ambitions.

“Our first goal has always been to pass the first test of getting out of the group stages and I think there’s a chance for us to achieve that tonight,” added Bafana coach Broos.

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“The fact that Tunisia had one day more than us to prepare for the game makes me a little bit uncomfortable but after winning against Namibia on Sunday, we got a boost of energy.

“We know what we can achieve tonight, so we will be ready. We will fight for everything tomorrow to have a good result.

“What is a good result? First of all, is not losing and that should give us the certainty of going to the next round.”

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