‘We must finish with a flourish’ – SA coach Stuart Baxter

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Nov 14, 2017. 11:00

South Africa coach Stuart Baxter has called on his players to round off their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign “with a flourish”.

Bafana Bafana will take on Senegal in their final Group D match in Dakar tonight. The encounter will be merely academic, with the Teranga Lions having secured top spot and World Cup qualification on Friday night when they beat SA 2-0 in Polokwane.

Despite the dead-rubber status of the match, Baxter wants to see his side claim a victory over the West Africans.

"It is important to finish our campaign with a flourish. We are playing one of the biggest teams on the continent and this is a great stage for players to show their mettle," said Baxter.

“Let’s make a big push to achieve that,” he added, before explains that the 2-0 loss showcased the best and worst of his Bafana side.

“Friday’s match showed we can match the best on the continent. It also showed we can be our own worst enemies at times. We had Senegal against the ropes for most of the first half but failed to take our chances.

“This has been our constant problem whether in the domestic league or national level – failure to convert numerous scoring chances; and in most cases you will be made to pay for it.”

The Senegal v South Africa match will be played at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar, kick-off at 21h30 CAT.