Time for South Africa to surprise Africa

[Folami David]

South Africa have had an underwhelming build-up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but the opening match of the tournament against Cape Verde at the National Stadium in Soweto on Saturday evening presents them with a chance to silence their critics, kick-off at 18h00.
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While it is affirmative that most pundits have written off the host nation's hopes of repeating the heroic of 1996 when South Africa won the trophy on debut on home soil, coach Gordon Igesund has remained defiantly optimistic.
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Wednesday's announcement that the squad has foregone any talks over bonuses until the quaterfinals suggests that they are focused and united in their goals for the tournament - something past South African teams have not managed.
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Yet goals - or rather the scoring process - remains the main hindrance between Igesund's side and progressing to the quaterfinals. South African players seem to lack the necessary potency up front to really trouble the continent's best.

[Shola Sholaz]

South africa cannot do anything in afcon cos their strickers are in no way effective up front