AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY
'Sports is our Business'
  • Home
  • NEWS
  • Radio
  • TV

We are still on track - Mashaba

10/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
16 October 2014 –Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba says the team is still very much on track for qualification for the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 despite being held to a goalless draw by Congo Brazzaville at a rain-soaked Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday, 15 October.

 

The match, which was attended by high profile dignitaries that included among others, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, Premier of Limpopo Stan Mathabatha, Executive Mayor of Limpopo Ms Thembi Nkadimeng, Bishop of the ZCC Church Barnabas Lekganyane, Mamelodi Sundowns President Patrice Motsepe and several SAFA NEC members saw Congo stifling Bafana Bafana’s rhythm with some robust play.

This was the second match in four days between the two nations after Bafana Bafana defeated Congo 2-0 in Pointe Noire last Saturday (11 October 2014).

 

“It was a tough game like we expected. They came with a game plan which was not to lose, they were happy to settle for a draw. Those who saw our first game against them last week can see they were a different ball game altogether. They came here to defend and frustrated us. We had chances to score but we couldn’t. But we are still on track, our boys are doing well, I don’t think we need to press panic buttons,” said a rain-drenched Mashaba after the match.

 

“We are not disappointed at all. We would have loved to seal qualification today but it did not happen so we are not disappointed at all. We are happy with a draw because it is a fair result. We still have another six points to play for but we need to make sure that we get the maximum points in our next game with Sudan to put the matter to rest.”

 

Mashaba is also concerned that his charges fire on all cylinders up front when playing away, but do not at home. With four matches played, South Africa scored five goals in two away fixtures but have not had returns in two home clashes.

 

“It is a concern that when we are home we don’t score yet when we play away we find the back of the net on a regular basis. We need to find out what is happpening because it is the same strikers who play. The good thing is that we are creating chances but we are just not converting them,” said Mashaba.

 

Elsewhere, Nigeria registered their first victory in the qualifiers when they defeated Sudan 3-1 with two goals from Ahmed Musa and one from Aaron Samuel while Salah Ibrahim found the back of the net for Sudan.

 

South Africa is still top of Group A with eight points, one above second-placed Congo. Nigeria is third with four while Sudan is bottom of the group with three points.

 

In their next clash against Sudan next month, Bafana Bafana will not have the services of defender Thulani Hlatshwayo who has been suspended after collecting his second yellow card in the campaign.

 

South Africa hosts Sudan on Saturday, 15 November 2014 at a venue still to be determined. Four days later (Wednesday, 19 November) Bafana Bafana travel to Nigeria for their last fixture of the qualifiers.

 

This is how South Africa and Congo lined up:

 

South Africa:

Senzo Meyiwa, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Eric Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sibusiso Khumalo, Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Mandla Masango, Thulani Serero (Oupa Manyisa 67’), Tokelo Rantie (Sibusiso Vilakazi 80’), Bongani Ndulula (Kermit Erasmus 63’)

 

Subs:

Darren Keet, Tefu Mashamaite, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Oupa Manyisa, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Kermit Erasmus

 

Congo:

Massa, F N’Ganga (Boukama 77’), Baudry, Moutou, I Nganga, Ngonga, Ndinga, Oniangue, Gandze, Dore, Bifouma

Ends.

 

 

Standings after four rounds:

 

 

TEAM                                    P             W           L              D             GF          GA          GD          PTS

 

1. South Africa                  4              2              0              2              5              0              5              8

 

2. Congo                              4              2              1              1              5              4              1              7

 

3. Nigeria                             4              1              2              1              5              5              0              4

 

4. Sudan                               4              1              3              0              2              8              -6            3
By: Editor
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Menu

    All
    2014 FIFA World Cup
    Athletics
    Basketball
    Boxing
    Commonwealth Games
    Cricket
    Golf
    Hockey
    Marathons
    News
    Olympics
    Rugby
    Soccer
    Spotlight
    Tennis
    Track And Field
    Volleyball
    Women Soccer
    Wrestling


    RSS Feed


    Tweets by ASMONTHLY

Tweet to @ASMONTHLY

Contact Us

    Contact Us

Submit

Donate & Support Our Efforts at African Sports Media Network