I’m up to the task – Pitso

Bafana Bafana head coach, Gordon Igesund is expected to announce his final squad for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the national team’s match against Norway; which will just be 24-hours before the squad list submissions deadline on January 9, 2013.

The national team is scheduled to play three fixtures before the tournament, and will face Malawi on December 22; Norway on January 8 and then Algeria on January 12.

After the match against the Norwegians, Igesund will trim the squad from 35 players to 23 before playing Algeria in another preparation match, followed by Cape Verde in the opening fixture of the tournament on January 19.

“Intense preparations will start in earnest when I announce the final 23 players after the match against Norway. The squad I have of 35 has to be cut down. After the game against Malawi, our preparations will really begin,” said Igesund.

The Bafana Bafana coach believes the time has arrived to stop assessing players and make the vital decisions that will see him select the final squad the looming African tournament.

“This for me is the most crucial period for us because I haven’t been preparing the team all I have been doing is selecting them and going to play a match. We have not been playing any formations; any style; all I have been doing is looking at players, so this period for me is very important.”

Igesund will name his squad for the clash against Malawi next week.