Williams: We Can’t Control What Happens In Nigeria

Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, has given insight into the lessons he and his side have learnt from their previous meetings with Rwanda, which will help them take maximum points at Mbombela on Tuesday.

Bafana Bafana will face the side that sits at the bottom of Group C, with the obligation of picking up all three points if they are to stand any chance of featuring at next year’s World Cup.

“Obviously, we know what they put us through that side, and that’s a motivation for tomorrow’s game as well,” said Williams.

The last meeting between South Africa and the East African nation [21 November 2023] in Kigali ended in a two-nil defeat for the away side.

The game was played in very poor conditions, as puddles were all over the place and the ball was holding up. Rwanda took full advantage of that, especially in both goals. Also, Siyanda Xulu and Nkosinathi Sibisi had a shocker of a game on that day.

“The players know how difficult it was, the trip. I think we’re the only team that played on that field, and we shouldn’t have played there,” added Bafana’s skipper.

Williams will be hoping that those who made the trip to Kigali can make amends at Mbombela, as they find themselves in a do-or-die scenario.

“But for me, the most important factor is us winning our game and focusing on what we can do,” said Williams.

A win for Nigeria against Benin in Uyo would keep South Africa’s World Cup dreams alive, or even fulfill them.

“We can’t control what happens in Nigeria, we have to be super focused on our game because Rwanda won’t make it easy for us,” reiterated Williams.

The home crowd will be hoping that their players remain focused on the job at hand, but it’s almost certain that they’ll have proceedings in Nigeria lingering in their minds.