Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana admits it will be tough to face Peter Shalulile at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The pair are teammates at DStv Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns.
They have enjoyed unparalleled success with the Brazilians over the past few campaigns and will now go head-to-head in Group E at the AFCON that kicks off on January 13.
First up for Bafana is a clash with Mali on January 16 as Shalulile’s Namibia kick off their competition against Tunisia.
Kekana said on FARPost: “It’s going to be another tough one. I don’t think there will be easy games. Shalulile has obviously been a prolific striker for us.
“We go up against them at training so it’s going to be another tough encounter. But you don’t focus on one individual, you want to focus on the whole team. Do our homework and make sure that we try and nullify them as much as possible.”
Kekana added that there is a healthy competition for places in defence for Bafana, as he vies for a started berth alongside one of Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala or Nkosinathi Sibisi.
“Obviously we are all fighting for one thing. We are fighting for our country and we are all trying to better each other,” explained Kekana.
“I think the competition is healthy and we just push one another. We know that in the centre-back position, there will be two that are chosen but the process of it needs all of us to be together.”