Photo: Mohamed Kamara of Sierra Leone (L) vies for the ball against Katlego Mphela of South Africa during the African Cup of Nations 2012 qualifying football match between South Africa and Sierra Leone at Mbombela Stadium on October 8, 2011, in Nelspruit. 

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted during his team’s press conference at Dobsonville Stadium that this weekend’s friendly against Sierra Leone is to restore confidence in his side.

South Africa, in four meetings, never defeated Sierra Leone as both sides have played to three draws and a win for Sierra Leone in June 2008.

Hugo Broos was speaking ahead of two International friendlies against Sierra Leone on Saturday and Botswana on Tuesday as Bafana Bafana’s first two matches since a 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying defeat away to Morocco in June.

Broos said the games against 113th-ranked Sierra Leone and 146th-ranked Botswana aimed at restoring Bafana’s confidence.

He wants to test his players ahead of playing Liberia twice in Afcon qualifiers next year in March.

“Sierra Leone plays similar to Liberia. We have those two very important games in March – playing Sierra Leone can be important preparation.

“The game against Botswana, like I said before, I wanted to have two friendly games in September, so I have that, and we have to try now to win those two games.”

They have struggled to get a positive result in recent matches, but Broos was clear that his team needs to battle a win when they host the west African nation, Sierra Leone, in a friendly at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The two matches this month will be part of their 2023 African Cup of Nations preparation. 

Broos said he would ensure all the players in his 23-man squad play in the coming two friendlies.

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Debutants Bo Rangers are out of this year’s CAF Champions League after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Stade du 8-Mai-1945 in their second-leg preliminary in Algeria on Saturday.

Both teams played to a goalless draw in the first lg in Liberia’s SDK stadium a week ago in Monrovia.

The competition first-timers were hoping to stun their host, but the Algerian Champions were the better side on the day.

A brace from Karim Aribi in the 86th and 90th minutes completed the home side’s victory after Mouad Hadda had opened the scoring in the 34th-minute first half.

Bo Rangers were without defender Abu Bakarr Samura aka Lucio, due to injury. 

In the Second Round, CR Belouizdad will face the winner between Deportivo Mongomo Equatorial Guinean football club and Djoliba Athletic Club Malian football in October.

Deportivo Mongomo Equatorial Guinean won the first leg 2-0 a week ago. They will play the reverse fixture today in Mali.

Clubs that received bye to Second Preliminary Round

Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Raja Club Athletic (Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), and Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco).

Horoya AC (Guinea) are through to the next round following the withdrawal of Gambia’s Hawks FC.

Full Time in Algeria at the Stade di 8-Mai-1945 stadium – @Crbelouizdadoff have progressed to the @CAFCLCC second round preliminary after a 3-0 aggregate scoreline over Sierra Leone Champions @bo_rangers. #SaloneTwitter #SierraLeone #FSLNews #AfrcanTwitter #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/Z58KHRfUgf

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) September 17, 2022

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Debutants Bo Rangers will be hoping to build from their first-leg draw and stun their host at the Stade du 8-Mai-1945 in Algeria in their CAF Champions League second-leg preliminary on Saturday.

A win for Sierra Leone champions will see them progress to the next stage of this year’s CAF Champions League.

Bo Rangers will be without defender Abu Bakarr Samura aka Lucio, due to injury. Head coach Alhaji Foray will welcome Abu Bakarr Bangura, fondly called ‘Nasri’, back into the squad, having missed two training sessions due to illness. 

Coach Alhaji Foray insists he is not feeling any extra pressure ahead of their decider taking on the Algerian Champions CR Belouizbad at the Setif stadium.

When asked whether he is feeling the heat ahead of Saturday’s clash, he said, “Not at all. The lads are here to get the business done. I’m looking forward to being involved and showing what we are capable of, as our expectations are high. The lads are mentally and physically prepared,” he affirms.

Both teams will meet for the second time following their goalless draw in the first leg. Asked whether the Rangers are the favourite to win, Foray added: “No. That would be disrespectful to the host, but I am optimistic that we will prevail. 

On Abu Bakarr Samura’s absence 

“Samura is a vital player, no coach will be happy to miss any of his key players, but it is what it is. I have 24 players at my disposal. So, those who are mentally and physically ready will play. 

He, however, called on Sierra Leoneans to rally behind the team.

The aggregate winner of CR Belouizdad and Rangers over two legs will face the winner between Deportivo Mongomo Equatorial Guinean football club and Djoliba Athletic Club Malian football in the second round in October.

Meanwhile, the Algerian side has won three of their last four matches this season, including the draw against their CAF Champions League draw with Bo Rangers last Saturday. 

By Martin Wusha in Algeria – Connect with us @football_sierra – on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and National News.