South Africa will face the Group D winners, the Comoros, in the second semi-final, and there’s a renewed sense of confidence in the camp.

Bafana have been dominant throughout the tournament, but their finishing has let them down – it nearly cost them. Scraping through to the knockout rounds has sparked a fresh energy in the squad. While goals have been hard to come by, the team remains upbeat and determined.

Boitumelo Radiopane. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Comoros present a different kind of challenge, having impressed by topping a tough Group C that included the Zebras of Botswana and the Copper Bullets of Zambia.

Bafana striker and Orlando Pirates forward, Boitumelo Radiopane, says the team just needs to back themselves as they head into the business end of the tournament.

“We’ve been working hard every day in training to improve our finishing, because that’s where it all starts,” he said.

“I’m happy with the group of players I’m surrounded by. We all have the same goal – to win. And to do that, we need to score as many goals as possible.

“When it comes to decision-making in front of goal, we need to stay calm and not be selfish. If I’m not in the best position to score, I must pass to the teammate who is – that’s how we’ll win games.

Vuyo Letlapa. Photo: Morgan Piek

“The best way to reward our defenders is to put the ball in the back of the net. They’re doing everything they can to keep the opposition at bay, and it’s up to us to make it count.”

Kick-off for the semi-final at Toyota Stadium is at 18:00 on Friday evening. In the earlier semi-final, defending champions Angola will take on Madagascar at 15:00 – also at Toyota Stadium.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg