Bafana Bafana defender Siboniso Gaxa believes the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash with Mali will be a test of different football strengths.
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Just 11 years ago the two nations met in the same circumstances where Mali were hosts and won 2-0 - before losing 3-0 to eventual winners Cameroon in the semi-final.
The physical nature of the players from the West African nation and their style of play has been compared to Bafana's perceived lack of strength and quick passing game, but Gaxa feels it is difficult to directly compare the two sides.
"They (Mali) are a big strong team but we play different types of football. They have their strengths and we have our strengths, so we have to work more on that."
The Kaizer Chiefs defender is set to make his first appearance at the continental championship with Anele Ngcongca due to miss the match through suspension.
Despite not having played yet, Gaxa says he is ready.
"It would be nice to represent my country on home soil and in the quarter-finals, I'm looking forward to that if I do start but we are a team here and we work together.
"I've played big games for the national team and this would be one of the big games as well."
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