Raymond Mdaka fires up Amajita for crucial Sierra Leone test

The two teams lock horns at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, tonight at 21:00 (20:00 SA Time) with Sierra Leone playing in their last group game. 

The West Africans have already qualified for the quarterfinals and top the group with seven points, but Mdaka trusts his boys to do the business tonight.

"The only thing that we have put in our minds is to play to our strengths, and do what we do best, irrespective of who we come up against. That makes us, as South Africa, stand out from the rest," said Mdaka. 

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Amajita have had a whole week's rest since they last played a game against Tanzania, where they won 1-0 last Tuesday, and Mdaka believes that they have had enough time to periodise adequately for tonight’s game. He also says, the demands of the games here need players at their sharpest levels, fitness-wise.

"I think the break was much needed, it afforded us recovery time and good breathing space. 

"We utilised the time we had to prepare the boys technically, tactically, and physically, although mostly tactically. We've also brought back intense conditioning, because in these games here in Egypt, you need fit players and characters as well," explained the optimistic coach. 

Mdaka has also been regularly watching Group A matches, including the last two games of Sierra Leone, and he believes that he’s gathered enough information on his opponents.

"We have explored the key areas of this match, and we have identified the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, but at the same time, we are not changing our style and approach," concluded Mdaka.