Egypt too slow at the back ? Ngcongca

Bafana Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca did not mince his words ahead of their Group G 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

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Bafana Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca did not mince his words on Thursday in Johannesburg ahead of their Group G 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt in Cairo on Sunday saying the Pharaohs are weak in defence.

“Looking back at the game we played against them at Ellis Park (on March 26th), we picked up some of their weak points,” said the 23-year-old.

“They're too slow at the back and I think it's one of our (the Bafana attack's) strongest points and we're definitely capable of doing the job upfront.”

The South African outfit have the chance to eliminate the hosts if they beat them in their own back yard.

Even if Bafana manage a draw, it could still see Egypt miss out on qualifying for next year’s finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea if Niger defeat Sierra Leone in their match on Saturday in Freetown.

“We're professional footballers so we want to always win every game, so we are going there to win,” said Ngcongca.

“We're not going to go there and defend and let them come at us.

“We are confident, and the spirit in the team is high. The main thing is that we get points from the game so we will go all out.”

Ngcongca won the Belgian Jupiler League championship with his side KRC Genk and has now shifted his focus to the national team.

“On my side, I have put the league aside to join the guys in the camp and I'm now focused on the game on Sunday.

“I'm sharing some of the experience I gained in Belgium but the main thing is that the spirit in the team is high.”

With the likely absence of captain Steven Pienaar in the midfield, after he picked up a knee injury in training on Thursday, Bafana will have to rely on other experienced players to do the job.

Pienaar had limped off at the squad's final training session after a collision with defender Happy Jele. The midfielder was assessed at the team's hotel and will be further assessed during the team's stay in Cairo.

“Players in the midfield will be crucial for us in this game,” stressed Ngcongca.

“We've got 'Shabba' (Simphiwe Tshabalala) and Andile Jali who can give those killer passes and I think they will play a big role in this game so we just have to be patient,” he said.

Tlou Segolela, who came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Egypt in March, should make his first appearance in the starting lineup with no other obvious replacement for Pienaar.

The softly-spoken winger has just come off a great season winning a domestic treble with Pirates.

“Winning the league title has motivated me even more and I want to continue the good results,” said Segolela.

Egypt, who are ranked two places above Bafana in the official Fifa world rankings at 36th, have the edge over the South Africans with five victories in nine meetings since 1995.

“We are not focusing on their history. They are human and make mistakes so I think we can unlock their defence and win the game,” added Segolela.

The match kicks off at 8.30pm on Sunday evening at the Military Stadium in Cairo. – Sapa

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/egypt-too-slow-at-the-back-ngcongca-1.1078456

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