Sibisi highlights need for clean sheet ahead of decisive Zimbabwe clash

The two neighbouring countries clash at the Marrakech stadium tomorrow night, with Zimbabwe needing a win to qualify beyond the group stages for the first time.

But with Bafana needing just a point, Sibisi emphasises the need for a clean sheet.

"We have to get a result it's as simple as that. Being solid as a team and keeping clean sheets will take us far in this tournament just like we managed to do in the last edition."

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Zimbabwe have not had a good record against Bafana in recent years in official matches—the two nations are clashing for the first time in the AFCON finals. Sibisi says the rivalry between the two footballing nations is real, but they are focusing on the three points...

Sibisi has yet to see action in this tournament, as Broos has gone with the combination of Siyabonga Ngezana and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

But like the team player he is, the Orlando Pirates captain acknowledges the team's quality.

Meanwhile, Sibisi has also shared the difficulty and blurred lines that defenders have to contend with regards to the ever-changing laws of the game, especially against defenders. This was also in response to coach Hugo Broos’ comment that he won’t be telling Khuliso Mudau how to use his arms, after the penalty he caused on Friday against Egypt.

"Look I think the game is becoming difficult for everyone now, because you don't know when or how to jump, or where to have your hands because in terms of the natural vs unnatural hand position, a natural position to one person might be an unnatural position for another person, so it does become blurred."

With Broos having brought in more younger players into this squad as he prepares them for the future, Sibisi says, in hindsight, it was good that they opened with a win to also take the pressure off the younger players in the decisive games.