Stuart Baxter not giving up on seeing Bafana Bafana at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter remains optimistic despite failing to beat Nigeria on Saturday afternoon.

A goal by Lebogang Mothiba cancelled out at an own goal by Buhle Mkhwanazi meaning that Bafana now need to avoid defeat in order to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The last time Bafana locked horns with the North Africans was in Durban, where they were held to a goalless draw.

However, this time around Baxter admits, his side will not be defensive and park the bus.

“The best way when we go to Libya is to approach the game the normal way. We don’t need to go there and park the bus,” he was quoted as saying by IOL.

Libya go into the game on the back of a morale boosting 8-1 demolition of a hapless Seychelles.

Bafana though, have conceded just once in qualifying and are yet to taste defeat in the competition, although Nigeria have already booked their place at the showpiece event.  

“If we stick to our game plan, we have every reason to go to Libya and believe in ourselves,” he added.

“We have refined what we are good at. The players deserve a pat on the back but are aware of the minefield when we go to Libya. I think we showed character having to go a goal down early in the game against Nigeria. We need to believe in ourselves,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, Baxter and his men have some time to prepare for their clash against Libya as the clash is scheduled for March 2019. But before they can focus on the game, they are set to tackle Paraguay in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Tuesday.