7 October 2014 – Newly-called up striker into the Bafana Bafana squad, Fagrie Lakay, says while he in the national to learn, he will also raise his hand should he be asked to help the team.
Lakay is one of the youngest player in the Bafana Bafana squad that will take on Congo in two matches in the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 Qualifiers.
In the first match, South Africa travels to Congo to face the host nation on Saturday, 11 October.
Kickoff is at 16h30 (SA time).
The return leg will be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday, 15 October.
Kicoff is at 20h05.
Lakay is one of the youngest player in the Bafana Bafana squad that will take on Congo in two matches in the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 Qualifiers.
In the first match, South Africa travels to Congo to face the host nation on Saturday, 11 October.
Kickoff is at 16h30 (SA time).
The return leg will be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday, 15 October.
Kicoff is at 20h05.
Having grown through the ranks of the national team set up – Lakay played in the U17 and is now an intergral part of the U20 squad – he enjoys working with head coach Shakes Mashaba since their days in the youth ranks.
“It is always working with a coach like him, but right now It’s a bit different because it is not U17 or U20, it is Bafana Bafana. He is sometimes hard on you because at the lower levels he can be a bit softer but here he pushes you and you can’t blame him we have to get results,” said a shy Lakay who plays for Santos of Cape Town in the National First Division.
The striker has become a household name after his two goals helped Amajita, the South African Men’s U20 Team to qualify for the African Youth Championships that will be held in Niger from March next year.
He is however unfazed at moving up a notch in his interntional career.
“Obviously it’s the senior team, you are playing with the best players in the country. I must admit that so far the guys have been very supportive. Every player wants to give hundred percent and get goals. Should I be given a chance to play, I will do my best to assist the national team too. The advice I get is that I should play my normal game and not change things because I was called to the team for a reason, I must do what I do best,” added Lakay.
Meanwhile goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has brushed aside talk that Bafana Bafana will have defensive difficulties with the absence of the experienced Anele Ngcongca who pulled out of the squad on Tuesday (7 October) due to an injury.
“Every player that is here is good enough to represent the nation and I believe whoever gets an opportunity to play will do their best. We have enough quality to close the gap and with the high team spirit I believe we can get a good result. We have to go there with an open mind, defend well and avoid conceding a goal as that will put us at a disadvantage. But we are positive,” said Meyiwa.
“It is always working with a coach like him, but right now It’s a bit different because it is not U17 or U20, it is Bafana Bafana. He is sometimes hard on you because at the lower levels he can be a bit softer but here he pushes you and you can’t blame him we have to get results,” said a shy Lakay who plays for Santos of Cape Town in the National First Division.
The striker has become a household name after his two goals helped Amajita, the South African Men’s U20 Team to qualify for the African Youth Championships that will be held in Niger from March next year.
He is however unfazed at moving up a notch in his interntional career.
“Obviously it’s the senior team, you are playing with the best players in the country. I must admit that so far the guys have been very supportive. Every player wants to give hundred percent and get goals. Should I be given a chance to play, I will do my best to assist the national team too. The advice I get is that I should play my normal game and not change things because I was called to the team for a reason, I must do what I do best,” added Lakay.
Meanwhile goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has brushed aside talk that Bafana Bafana will have defensive difficulties with the absence of the experienced Anele Ngcongca who pulled out of the squad on Tuesday (7 October) due to an injury.
“Every player that is here is good enough to represent the nation and I believe whoever gets an opportunity to play will do their best. We have enough quality to close the gap and with the high team spirit I believe we can get a good result. We have to go there with an open mind, defend well and avoid conceding a goal as that will put us at a disadvantage. But we are positive,” said Meyiwa.
By: Editor
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