Moosa: The Fifa World Cup qualifying draw could have been worse for Bafana

Zane Moosa tells Goal that Bafana Bafana's worst opponent in Group D of the Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign will be Senegal

South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Cape Verde and Burkina Faso. The group winner will advance to the 2018 Fifa World Cup finals in Russia. 

Reflecting on the draw, former Bafana midfielder Moosa believes Bafana Bafana have a good chance of qualifying for the showpiece, but insists they have to improve on home soil if they are to achieve the dream. 

Shakes Mashaba's men have side-stepped the likes of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Cameroon, as well as Africa's top ranked side Algeria. 

"It doesn't look too bad, it could have been much worse," Moosa told Goal. "We missed Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and Ivory Coast. 

"The main obstacle will be Senegal.

The Teranga Lions are the top ranked side in the Group (41st in the world and fourth in Africa), followed by Cape Verde (49), South Africa (68) and Burkina Faso (73). 

The Burkinabe have in recent times failed to replicate the form that guided them to the 2013 African Cup of Nations final. But in Cape Verde, who were top of Caf rankings only a few months ago, and Senegal, Bafana Bafana would still need to be at their best if they are to qualify for their fourth Fifa World Cup tournament. 

"Burkina Faso, since they reached the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations here [in South Africa], they have been on a downward spiral," Moosa continued. 

"Cape Verde, you can't take them for granted. They are an unfashionable team, unpredictable! They don't really play exciting football, but they are really difficult to beat. I think that is why they are ranked so highly. They are an awkward opponent. 

"Senegal will have all their big guns, the likes of Sadio Mane of Southampton, so they will be the main threat. I think we should be reasonably happy with the draw, it could have been much tougher. It doesn't look that tough on paper, but Bafana Bafana need to step up. 

"After the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2017 Afcon, we will obviously have to go all out like every country will do. Everyone wants to play in the World Cup. 

Bafana Bafana will be eager to put the disappointment of failing to qualify for next year's Afcon finals in Gabon behind them, as they set their sights on Russia. 

Moosa believes key to South Africa reaching the tournament will be their home form.

"Considering next year's Afcon, which we failed to qualify for, our home form let us down so it is vital that we win at home and maybe get a draw away, that would be a bonus," the 47-year-old added. 

"Maybe even try and beat Burkina Faso away from home to try and get the advantage. 

"Our home form in recent years hasn't been good. We drew 0-0 to Gambia, failed to beat Cameroon. Most of our results have been away from home, hopefully we would have gained something from our previous campaigns and learned from our mistakes."

CREDIT TO:http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4684/world-cup-2018/2016/06/24/25013832/bafana-need-to-step-up-says-moosa