S Leone pledge shock qualification from Group G
Saturday’s decisive Group G match between South Africa and Sierra Leone will be played at the World Cup venue of Nelspruit.
Mohammed Bangura believes third-placed Sierra Leone can upset Group G by reaching the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Leone Star must win in South Africa and Egypt have to defeat Niger if they are to pull off a shock qualification.
“We want to give a surprise to the country and Sierra Leoneans everywhere in the world,” said the striker.
“We want to give them something they will never forget – we are about to turn it around.”
GROUP G STANDING
- Niger 9 pts
- South Africa 8
- Sierra Leone 8
- Egypt 2
“We’re going to win,” the Glasgow Celtic forward told BBC Sport.
Although Sierra Leone currently lie third in the group, level on points with South Africa, they are just a point behind leaders Niger.
Their qualification had looked in jeopardy until home defeats of both Niger and Egypt in their last two matches catapulted them into contention.
“Those wins put us in a situation where we can play a decisive game here and that is great,” coach Lars Mattson told BBC Sport.
“We’re definitely here to try to win the game and we have a 50/50 chance of doing so.
“We have a strong team and if our defence works, then we have attacking players who can be a deadly threat to any defence in the world.”
Bangura says Sierra Leone can reach their first Nations Cup since 1996
“We need to win the game and we can’t rely on a draw, although South Africa can. I feel optimistic about this game.”
Sierra Leone will be without injured Sweden-based centre-back Ibrahim Koroma and right-back David Simbu, who is suspended, for the Nelspruit clash.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be without captain Steven Pienaar given his long-standing injury troubles.
Elsewhere, reigning African champions Egypt will be fielding their under-23 side in the Cairo clash with Niger as they prepare for November’s Olympic qualifiers.
An away win will take Niger to their first Nations Cup finals regardless of the result in South Africa.
The 2012 Nations Cup will take place between 21 January and 12 February in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
BBC Sport
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