Starting XI: Bafana v Mali

02 February 2013

2013 AFCON

Teams: Bafana Bafana v Mali

Date: 3 February 2013

Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium

Bafana Bafana will be looking to build on their Group A triumph when they meet the Eagles of Mali in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Gordon Igesund's men have looked like a different side in Durban, after beating Angola comfortably before holding Morocco in a dramatic clash to secure top spot in their group.

The performances came after a sluggish start in Johannesburg against surprise package Cape Verde.

The last two results will have instilled some confidence in the national team players and Igesund has said that they will continue to play their own game.

The Siya crew can reveal that Igesund has made some changes to his side with Siboniso Gaxa coming in for the suspended Anele Ngcongca while he has packed the midfield with May Mahlangu, Reneilwe Lesholonyane and Dean Furman while Bernard Parker and Thuso Phala will storm up and down the flanks. The pacy Tokelo Rantie will be tasked with getting goals as the lone striker.

A lot of questions have been asked as to whether Bafana can contain the bruising Mali side, but Igesund is hoping that his team will use their speed and passing abilities to counter the physical strength of their opponents.

Bafana were dumped out at the same stage of the tournament back in 2002, when they Eagles were hosting the tournament.

Standard Bank Key Player: Reneilwe Letsholonyane. The tough-tackling Kaizer Chiefs man will be expected to disrupt the Mali midfield while he will also be vital in sending the ball forward to the attackers.

This is how they line up:

Bafana: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Tsepo Masilela, Bernard Parker, May Mahlangu, Dean Furman, Reneilwe Letholonyane, Thuso Phala, Tokelo Rantie.

Mali: Soumaila Diakite, Fousseni Diawara, Adama Coulibaly, Molla Wague, Adama Tamboura, Mohamed Sissoko, Samba Sow, Seydou Keita, Samba Diakite, Mahamadou Samassa, Modibo Maiga.