“There are no friendly games in national team colours,” comments Kaizer Chiefs defender Erick ‘Tower’ Mathoho. “We have to protect and hold high the national flag every time we walk on the pitch in national colours.”

‘Tower’ is at present in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, where Bafana Bafana are scheduled face Mozambique in an international friendly on Tuesday, 15 November.

South Africa is going into this friendly match following a hard fought 2-1 victory against Senegal in a 2018 World Cup Russia qualifier.

“We needed the win at home,” reacts Mathoho, who played a full match against the Lions of Teranga on Saturday. “Losing that match was not an option. We are happy things worked according to plan.”

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune also played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, while defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele was on the substitute bench.

“We are ready for the match tomorrow,” adds the tough as teak Amakhosi defender about the upcoming match with South Africa against Mozambique. “National pride is at stake in this game. The preparations are going well. We arrived here (Maputo) on Sunday and we will have training tonight (Monday).”

Mathoho’s sentiments were echoed by fellow Glamour Boy teammate Khune: “We applied ourselves against Senegal. We look forward to the match against Mozambique and continue with a great run of positive results.”

The match between Bafana Bafana and Os Mambos take place at Maputo’s Estádio do Zimpeto on Tuesday, 15 November (kick-off is at 19:00).