BAFANA strikers have vowed to overcome the jitters of the opening African Nations Championship (CHAN) clash against Mozambique at the weekend as they prepare to face the physical Mali side on Wednesday.
Despite coming from behind to thump the Mambas 3-1 with two goals from forward Bernard Parker and midfielder Hlompho Kekana’s stunner from about 38 metres out, Bafana struggled to add to that tally because of numerous missed chances.
Parker, strike partner Katlego Mashego and the rest of South Africa’s attacking line made the win against minnows Mozambique look harder than it should have. Mali are even more of a threat now after they also registered a 2-1 win in their opening clash against Nigeria on Saturday night, proving that they might be the team to beat in Group A.
Parker took his number of goals in Bafana colours to 21 in 65 appearances and hopes he, as well as his teammates, will have a calm approach when nearing Mali’s 18-yard area in their next CHAN encounter. Bafana top the Group because of a better goal difference.
“We started off a little bit slow and the coach woke us up at half-time and told us we needed to start taking our opponents seriously. He said we needed to do better and challenge for every ball so that our quality shows, and in the end our quality did show.
“We have been together for about a week, and even the youngsters are showing great confidence. We wanted to get that goal , we wanted to win at all costs and I think we rushed certain situations. The win will take a little bit of weight off our shoulders, but I am sure in the next game we will be more relaxed and make better decisions,” said Parker.
Mashego could have also put his name on the scoresheet, but was unlucky to first see his free kick outside the Mozambique penalty box miss the target by a whisker. Minutes later the Mamelodi Sundowns striker hit the post when he connected with a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala.
“It’s all part of the game,” he said after the match. “We are always going to create chances, and I think scoring three to win is enough to allow us to look forward to the next game. It could have been more, but we know that we will sometimes score and sometimes miss them.”
For Parker, rushing in front of goal could also be explained by the urgency to try reach a milestone. The Kaizer Chiefs forward is now only 10 goals behind his idol and Bafana’s all-time sharpshooter, Benni McCarthy. With a calendar year lined up with high profile matches against Brazil in March, a possible clash against Argentina before the World Cup and qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations starting in September, the record is within reach.
“Yes, it is possible. Maybe it has something to do with the lucky number 17 jersey,” said Parker.
Nigeria will take on Mozambique three hours after Bafana’s match against Mali on Wednesday.
Bafana turn attention to physical Mali team
Despite coming from behind to thump the Mambas 3-1 with two goals from forward Bernard Parker and midfielder Hlompho Kekana’s stunner from about 38 metres out, Bafana struggled to add to that tally because of numerous missed chances.
Parker, strike partner Katlego Mashego and the rest of South Africa’s attacking line made the win against minnows Mozambique look harder than it should have. Mali are even more of a threat now after they also registered a 2-1 win in their opening clash against Nigeria on Saturday night, proving that they might be the team to beat in Group A.
Parker took his number of goals in Bafana colours to 21 in 65 appearances and hopes he, as well as his teammates, will have a calm approach when nearing Mali’s 18-yard area in their next CHAN encounter. Bafana top the Group because of a better goal difference.
“We started off a little bit slow and the coach woke us up at half-time and told us we needed to start taking our opponents seriously. He said we needed to do better and challenge for every ball so that our quality shows, and in the end our quality did show.
“We have been together for about a week, and even the youngsters are showing great confidence. We wanted to get that goal , we wanted to win at all costs and I think we rushed certain situations. The win will take a little bit of weight off our shoulders, but I am sure in the next game we will be more relaxed and make better decisions,” said Parker.
Mashego could have also put his name on the scoresheet, but was unlucky to first see his free kick outside the Mozambique penalty box miss the target by a whisker. Minutes later the Mamelodi Sundowns striker hit the post when he connected with a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala.
“It’s all part of the game,” he said after the match. “We are always going to create chances, and I think scoring three to win is enough to allow us to look forward to the next game. It could have been more, but we know that we will sometimes score and sometimes miss them.”
For Parker, rushing in front of goal could also be explained by the urgency to try reach a milestone. The Kaizer Chiefs forward is now only 10 goals behind his idol and Bafana’s all-time sharpshooter, Benni McCarthy. With a calendar year lined up with high profile matches against Brazil in March, a possible clash against Argentina before the World Cup and qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations starting in September, the record is within reach.
“Yes, it is possible. Maybe it has something to do with the lucky number 17 jersey,” said Parker.
Nigeria will take on Mozambique three hours after Bafana’s match against Mali on Wednesday.
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