South Africa coach, Stuart Baxter has said his boys will not need to be motivated in their clash against Egypt in the Round of 16 Afcon 2019 match.
SA reached the next round as one of the best losers as they defeated just Namibia and lost to Ivory Coast and Morocco in the group stage.
This is the reason why everyone is expecting them to bow out finally vs Egypt but Stuart is still hopeful and excited about the clash.
His words, “It is a great challenge and that is what the whole squad has been looking for. I think the Afcon groups have been very tight, our group has been really tight,”
“It was seconds away from almost every game being a different game, a different result so the people will think we have gone through the back door or whatever, but we were seconds away in a couple of games from going through on our own power and people would have said that is a great performance.
“But that is what our game is about. It is about perceptions. One referee’s decision or one mistake will change perception but we have this opportunity now to play against the host nation in front of a lot of people in a very, very hostile environment. And that is when you want people to stand up and I think the group is looking forward to it.”
“The main motivation is if they want to do it and I think that is the main thing, that is going to be the motivation that they want very badly to get past this hurdle. I don’t think I have to change anything; I think we have to strengthen some things,”
“Our attacking players have not been at their best, our defensive play has been quite good but we need to add to that and against the quality of Egypt I guess it will be a different game altogether.”
“I don’t think mentally we have to lift them (the players). I think mentally they know each game was too close, were there and thereabout. I think the boys are looking forward to that challenge.
“I don’t think we have to do a massive motivational pump with them, I think they will be up to this one no matter what I say.”
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