11 September 2014 - Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba is refusing to be carried away despite his young guns’ continued defiance of critics after holding African champions Nigeria to a goalless draw in a thrilling 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, 10 September 2014.
Mashaba, who two weeks ago oversaw the U20’s qualification to the CAF Youth championships in
Senegal before leading Bafana Bafana to a convincing 3-0 win over Sudan in Khartoum last Friday, said there was still lots of work that needed to be put into the senior men’s national team for them to become a complete product.
“I fully agree that four points from a possible six is a good return but we need to work on our finishing. Had we been more ruthless in front of goals on Wednesday night, we could easily have won that game. Towards the end of the second half, we were all over the Super Eagles and could have snatched one or two late goals.
“That is an area of concern but it is work in progress,” said Mashaba.
Mashaba, who two weeks ago oversaw the U20’s qualification to the CAF Youth championships in
Senegal before leading Bafana Bafana to a convincing 3-0 win over Sudan in Khartoum last Friday, said there was still lots of work that needed to be put into the senior men’s national team for them to become a complete product.
“I fully agree that four points from a possible six is a good return but we need to work on our finishing. Had we been more ruthless in front of goals on Wednesday night, we could easily have won that game. Towards the end of the second half, we were all over the Super Eagles and could have snatched one or two late goals.
“That is an area of concern but it is work in progress,” said Mashaba.
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The industrious mentor said marking was also another area which he would work on ahead of Bafana Bafana’s next assignment against Congo at the notorious coastal city of Point Noire in October.
“We still mark our opponents in pockets instead of collective but again this is something which we will work on going forward,” he said.
Mashaba also lauded the fans for coming in their numbers to support the soccer national team. Over 32000 supporters were in attendance as Bafana were held by the African champions.
“What I saw in Cape Town on Wednesday was encouraging. Yes, the best way to market yourself is to win games and I am beginning to get excited about how people are starting to give the boys a lift.
“If you want to win things, you need the support of the country and I would like to encourage people to rally behind the boys. Results will come,” said Mashaba.
“We still mark our opponents in pockets instead of collective but again this is something which we will work on going forward,” he said.
Mashaba also lauded the fans for coming in their numbers to support the soccer national team. Over 32000 supporters were in attendance as Bafana were held by the African champions.
“What I saw in Cape Town on Wednesday was encouraging. Yes, the best way to market yourself is to win games and I am beginning to get excited about how people are starting to give the boys a lift.
“If you want to win things, you need the support of the country and I would like to encourage people to rally behind the boys. Results will come,” said Mashaba.
By: Editor
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