Pretoria - Bafana Bafana jets off to Sierra Leone on Friday to face the strong west African national team in a crucial 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match on Sunday.
This is going to be Bafana's first difficult assignment away since the FIFA World Cup in June earlier this year and they will find the Leone stars' spirits still very high following their decisive away 1-all draw against the African champions, Egypt, last month.
When Bafana went to Sierra Leone's capital in 2008, they lost 1-nil in a controversial penalty scored by Mohammed Kallon, who has since been dropped for Sunday's clash.
Bafana skipper, Aaron "Mbazo" Mokoena, said: "I missed the last match in Freetown where we lost 1-nil due to injury, but there is no way I will miss this one. I am going to play, that is if the coach selects me, but there is no way I am missing this trip.
"This is one game I am really looking forward to - not just me but all the players. We want to win this one and keep the momentum of winning.
"We travel with a new spirit, new defence and attack from that disappointing 1-0 loss in 2008. We are determined to give a much better account and get a result this time. Away matches are not easy, but at least we are dealing with a team that we have faced before and we almost know what to expect," he said.
Leading Bafana defence, Mokoena will be keeping a close eye on Sweden-based Mohamed Bangura, who scored an important away goal against Egypt.
The match will be played at Freetown National Stadium at 6:30pm South African time on Sunday.
