Bafana Bafana and Hannover 96 center-back Ime Okon says the team is motivated by the improvement on the latest FIFA rankings.
The 5-0 drubbing of Eritrea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers marked match number 500 for Bafana since they were readmitted into international football in 1992. The night in Cairo also saw the Pitso Mosimane led side break into the top 50, number 49 to be precise.
They have also remained in the top 10 in Africa. The victory was also significant in the 1996 champions qualifying campaign as they sat in top spot in group D with six points in two encounters.
Okon who scored a goal in the 2-1 victory over Guinea in first qualifier in Orlando last week, told Safa.net that Bafana want to do even better and keep improving their ranking.
“I mean you know it’s really motivating,” said Okon.
“And then you see the teams that are in front of you and you believe that you can actually get more places you know.”
“You can’t go more down you know and yeah it’s very motivating and yeah I mean, we just look forward to getting better spots now.”