Instead of showing relief that he would not be facing Nigeria’s goal-poacher, Odion Ighalo in Saturday’s 2019 AFCON Qualifiers, Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune chose to boast about South Africa’s record of clean.
Having maintained four successive clean sheets in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, Khune believes the team can still be unbeaten.
Following the low sales of tickets for the epic encounter, Khune is hopeful supporters come out in force to rally support for Bafana at the match.
“I think we should focus on ourselves for now because four clean sheets in the same number of games is a really good record. We are unbeaten, haven’t conceded a single goal, and we have scored eight goals in those matches,” Khune told iol.co.za.
“So those are the things we look at, but we keep telling ourselves that we must keep our feet firmly on the ground and keep looking for more,” the Bafana shot-stopper added.
For the fans, Khune said: “The team needs you. The team needs you. You know how South Africans are. They like last-minute things. So, they will go and buy tickets.
“We just have to encourage them to come to the stadium and make promises that we will keep, and we will deliver on Saturday.
“That’s our promise, that we will do well. We will definitely go out there and represent the country well.
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“So, they must play their part as well by coming to support the team. And purchase more tickets. Ninety-five thousand, it’s possible. South Africans I know you can do it. The team needs you,” Khune told Sports24.co.za.