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Soccer News of Saturday, 25 October 2003

Source: iol

Flu and injuries threaten Amaglug-glug

Accra - A mystery flu virus and some injury niggles threatened to derail Conti Kubheka's Amaglug-glug plans for Sunday's Olympic qualifier against Ghana at the Accra Stadium.

By late Friday night Mabhuti Khanyeza and Peter Peterson seem to have recovered from their flu-like symptoms, while Gert Schalkwyk, Tsietsi Mahoa and Simphiwe Mbambo also recovered sufficiently from some minor injuries to partake fully in the team's afternoon training session.

Following their narrow win over Hearts of Oak in a friendly on Thursday evening, the Amaglug-glug players messed around in their hotel pool yesterday morning, enjoying the sparkling Accra sunshine.

"We will have to get the doctor to check them," said a concerned Kubheka earlier in the day in reference to Khanyeza and Peterson. "If they are not okay, we will have to call up other players."

Ahead of such an important game, there was certainly cause for concern, although all seemed well in the team's camp last night.

Still, the question remains how their fitness will stand up to the searing heat of a Ghanaian afternoon.

On a more positive note, goalkeeper Chad Harpur, defender Nasief Morris and midfielder Francois Adams were all due to arrive late last night to reinforce the squad.

"There is good depth," admitted Kubheka, reserving special praise for his captain, Benedict "Tso" Vilakazi.

"We have players who can maintain a high tactical level, like Vilakazi, and not get tired."

Kubheka believes the friendly against Hearts gave Amaglug-glug a good indicator of what to expect tomorrow.

Kubheka watched Ghana at the All Africa Games and has his own assessment of the way they play.

"Tactically they are not a threat to us, they play the game more as individuals," said Kubheka.

Last time the Amaglug-glug came here, they picked up a 2-2 draw, a result that sent them on their way to Sydney 2000.

But for Kubheka a draw will not be good enough on Sunday.

"We want to win," he said.

"Zambia and Algeria (Amaglug-glug's other group rivals) are playing at the same time as us, and one of them could win. "So it is important we also start our campaign on a winning performance."

While the Ghanaian Football Association have put Amaglug-glug in the luxurious Novotel Hotel, Ghana are staying at the inferior Wangara Hotel 15 minutes away.

One senses this is not so much a case of lulling South Africa into a false sense of security, as a genuinely spirited gesture from a very friendly country.

The Ghanaians do not intend to be so friendly on the pitch, however.

Coach Ralf Zumdick predicted confidently in a local newspaper that his side would win and it is reported that key midfielder, Ajax Amsterdam's Abubakari Yakubu, will arrive in the country in time for tomorrow's game.

Accra Stadium could well have an intimidatory atmosphere on Sunday. Excuse the cliche, but Amaglug-glug will need wise heads like Vilakazi's on young shoulders.

South Africa (probable 4-4-2): Harpur; Petersen, Fransman, Morris, Mahoa; Ngwenya, Vilakazi, Kometsi, Mngomeni; Mbambo, Khanyeza.