Continental experience will be essential for us – Khuliso Mudau
South African national team defender Khuliso Mudau believes the experience of key players on the continent will be helpful when Bafana Bafana attempts to relive their 1996 success of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa touched down in Korhogo on Thursday, 11 January, where they will be based for their Group E fixtures set to take place at the newly built Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly – the same venue that Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies from South Africa recently lifted the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Speaking to CAFOnline from the team’s base on Friday, the Sundowns defender, who recently lifted the African Football League title with his club, says experience on the continent will be vital for the team to succeed at the continental showpiece.
“It won’t be an easy group to get out of, but I think we have quality in the squad with players who are young and hungry. We want to make sure that we write history together. It will greatly help us have players playing in the Champions League. You can’t compare it with the local league because the intensity is different. So I think it’s going to help us a lot. We have been playing together for quite a while now as a team, and I am just grateful to be here and want to showcase my talent”, said Mudau.
In addition to Mudau and his Sundowns teammates, Bafana Bafana has the in-form Percy Tau, who not only has continental experience but recently came back with a bronze medal from the FIFA Club World Cup with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
The team is also led by former TotalEnergies CAF AFCON winner Hugo Broos, who guided Cameroon to the title in 2017.
“He is critical. He is an excellent coach. An experienced coach and I believe if we can apply exactly what he wants us to apply, we can make it,” concluded Mudau.
South Africa is drawn with North African giants Tunisia and neighbors Namibia and Mali, who are expected to enjoy the most support with their nation being on the border of Korhogo.