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Bafana Bafana will face Morocco tonight well aware that they can ill afford to blow their chance of making it to the knockout stage of the ongoing Afcon in Egypt.
The final Group D fixture at Al Salam Stadium at 6pm means South Africa must beat the Atlas Lions to secure automatic qualification to the next round.
A draw for Bafana will probably still be enough to progress but this will depend on the result of the other group match involving Ivory Coast and Namibia, also playing tonight.
South Africa go into the last game sitting third on the group equal on three points with Ivory Coast but the Ivorians have a better head-to-head, having beaten Bafana in their game.
Should Bafana finish third, they will have to wait a bit to see if they rank among the best third-placed finishers across the six pools.
So far, Guinea have claimed one spot after they finished third on four points in Group B that was won by debutants Madagascar.
Madagascar could potentially meet Bafana in the last 16 if South Africa progresses among the third place finishers, and again, it will depend on Bafana’s placing among the third-ranked sides.
Group D third finisher could also meet Egypt.
The four best teams among those ranked third at the end of the group phase will be determined by:
• Greater number of points obtained in all group matches;
• Goal difference resulting from all group matches;
• Greater number of goals scored in all group matches; and
• Drawing of lots by the CAF organising committee.
Bafana coach Stuart Baxter said ahead of the Morocco game: “We know we have a chance and we are going to try and take it.
“You look at the eventualities. What we have control of is our performance. We need to put everything here – respect our opponents but not scare them.
“Morocco have the advantage that they have the points in the bank and they can relax a bit more. But on the other hand the motivation on the South African side is higher. We believe our game plan will make life difficult for them.”
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