Maema Shares Thoughts On Bafana’s Readiness For CHAN
Bafana Bafana midfielder Neo Maema has weighed in on the team’s readiness for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament set to run from 2 August until 30 August 2025 in East Africa.
The showpiece will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with South Africa senior men’s national team all-time top goal scorer Benni McCarthy leading the Harambee Stars, having been appointed as the new head coach in March.
Bafana, spearheaded by acting SAFA Technical Director and former Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki, have been pitted in group C against Algeria, Guinea, Niger, and Uganda. The team left for Uganda on Sunday ahead of their opener against Algeria on Friday.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is adamant that the squad takes no issue with racing against time in their preparations, highlighting cohesion and fitness as the major areas of grave importance.
“We are professionals; we are going to a tournament, and we don’t need a lot of time, we just need the cohesion between the players because we come from different teams, and we play differently in our teams,” said Maema.
“So, we just need to make sure that we get together. Match fitness is always going to be a bit of a problem, but I don’t think it will be much of a problem because we have a week before our first game.
“So, we can just push each other and get all the minutes we need in the friendly games.”
Maema, who captained the national team throughout the CHAN encounters, went on to urge his teammates to represent the country with pride, as it would also aid the 15 unattached players in the squad to attract interest ahead of the new season.
“We need to represent the country with honour and respect, make sure that we put the country where it belongs, that is, making sure that we compete in this competition,” he added.
“And of course, a lot of players are out of contracts. My wish and prayer for them is that they can get a contract and get a job because it’s important for them. But it also goes to them, to have the responsibility and to make sure that they work for the next contract.”
Bafana played out to a 1-1 draw against Angola in a CHAN warm-up match at Lucas Moripe Stadium last Tuesday. Thabiso Kutumela scored for the hosts, while on-loan Orlando Pirates winger Gilberto got on the scoresheet for the visitors.
