The Zebras national team is gearing up for their opening match in the COSAFA tournament against Eswatini at 3pm today with high hopes to secure victory.
The two clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, South Africa. As they step on the field, the Zebras are aware of the significance of starting their campaign on a high note, especially against the group's less formidable opponent. As such, the Zebras have difficult encounters to come against the defending champions, South Africa's Bafana Bafana and Mozambique, both tough nuts to crack. The blue, black and white nation hopes to end its silverware drought with the best position in the tournament being a silver medal in 2016 and 2019. It will be head coach, Didier Gomes Da Rosa's first COSAFA Cup tournament.
The coach would like to leave a lasting impression on his young but formidable squad. Most are aiming for their first caps. Providing an update on the squad following their first training at Port Elizabeth ahead of their opener, strength and conditioning coach, Chyna Mokaila said the team is more than ready for COSAFA. “We arrived yesterday, and we really have done a lot of preparations back home. So, we had only one training which targeted keeping the boys as fresh as possible. The most important thing for us was the recovery,” he said. “I have asked them about their fatigue levels using their fatigue level range and they are good. They are in high spirits and so far, so good. We are looking forward to match day one against Eswatini,” Mokaila said. The other fixture on the day will see Bafana Bafana up against Mozambique at 6pm at the same stadium.
