Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba would like to get time to work with players during the off-season to prepare for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but the Bafana Bafana coach knows chances of that happening are very slim.
The qualifiers are scheduled to start in June and Mashaba is hoping Safa and the PSL can negotiate for players to join the team.
“The league is going to close, but we will be told that players are tired. If we could get that time with these players then I guarantee you we would be great in the qualifiers,” Mashaba said on Sunday after Bafana drew 1-1 with Nigeria at Mbombela Stadium.
“Even if I want 10 players, I have got no power to go there and ask for players. It’s up to the association and the PSL to negotiate,” he added.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu scored in second half stoppage time to salvage a draw for Bafana, who should have won the game against a lacklustre Nigerian side.
Bafana could not convert the chances they created, but credit should go to Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for making some good saves, including one from an admittedly tame Andile Jali penalty in the second half.
“We were supposed to walk this game. I think they were happy with a draw,” Mashaba said.
“The one thing we still need to address is finishing. This should come from grass roots. It’s got to be dealt with at club level. for us to score at that time shows there was that willingness to go and level up matters. The Nigerian goalkeeper stopped us from winning this game.”
Mashaba says he is going to work on penalties with the players after Jali had his spot kick saved. Striker Tokelo Rantie missed a spot kick during the Africa Cup of Nations against Algeria, but Mashaba says he cannot stop a player who is confident from taking a penalty.
“It’s about the player’s confidence at the time. But we have a plan. We will have a competition in the team with five or six boys and we will work on penalties.”
Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero impressed, but Mashaba did not want to single him out for praise, preferring to give credit to the whole team when asked about the player’s performance.
Bafana player ratings:
ITUMELENG KHUNE – 5
A spectator for a large chunk of the game, Khune could do very little to stop Ahmed Musa’s sweetly struck shot five minutes from time.
THULANI HLATSHWAYO – 6
The skipper spent the majority of the afternoon supplementing the home side’s attacking options rather than defending, such was Bafana’s dominance.
ERICK MATHOHO – 7
Dogged and determined. Was calm and enjoyed his return after missing the Swaziland game. He claimed the man of the match award.
RIVALDO COETZEE – 6
The youngster keeps improving as a senior team player. He looked assured and confident playing alongside Mathoho.
THABO MATLABA – 4
The left back got forward quite a bit, but ran out of ideas in the opposition half. Was guilty of giving away possession cheaply. He was taken off after 80 minutes.
THULANI SERERO – 7
Oh, but why wasn’t he at the Africa Cup of Nations? Serero was a menace, with his clever turns and quick one-twos. He got himself into the box a couple of times and won a penalty for Bafana after he was fouled by Itama Oboabona.
ANDILE JALI – 4
His casually taken penalty was saved, two long range shots went wide of goal and gave away possession cheaply. Made some good tackles, but was far from his best.
BONGANI ZUNGU – 6
Saved Bafana from defeat with the all important equaliser in stoppage time. Had a decent game in midfield after a shaky start.
OUPA MANYISA – 4
Did not look too comfortable playing out wide on the left. He had some good touches and an attempt at goal, but was too quiet by his standards.
SIBUSISO VILAKAZI – 3
Probably his worst game in a Bafana jersey. Ineffective and struggled to come up with anything to break down Nigerian defence. Vilakazi gave away the ball which led to Nigeria’s goal.
TOKELO RANTIE – 4
He was full of running, as usual, but was not very effective. Decision making in the final third continues to let him down.
LEHLOHONOLO MAJORO – 3
Came on for Rantie, but was not any better than the player he replaced.
SIBUSISO KHUMALO – 3
Replaced Matlaba. The SuperSport United man did not really get into the action.
THUSO PHALA
Not on the pitch long enough for a rating.
Off-season training key for 2017 Cup
The qualifiers are scheduled to start in June and Mashaba is hoping Safa and the PSL can negotiate for players to join the team.
“The league is going to close, but we will be told that players are tired. If we could get that time with these players then I guarantee you we would be great in the qualifiers,” Mashaba said on Sunday after Bafana drew 1-1 with Nigeria at Mbombela Stadium.
“Even if I want 10 players, I have got no power to go there and ask for players. It’s up to the association and the PSL to negotiate,” he added.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu scored in second half stoppage time to salvage a draw for Bafana, who should have won the game against a lacklustre Nigerian side.
Bafana could not convert the chances they created, but credit should go to Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for making some good saves, including one from an admittedly tame Andile Jali penalty in the second half.
“We were supposed to walk this game. I think they were happy with a draw,” Mashaba said.
“The one thing we still need to address is finishing. This should come from grass roots. It’s got to be dealt with at club level. for us to score at that time shows there was that willingness to go and level up matters. The Nigerian goalkeeper stopped us from winning this game.”
Mashaba says he is going to work on penalties with the players after Jali had his spot kick saved. Striker Tokelo Rantie missed a spot kick during the Africa Cup of Nations against Algeria, but Mashaba says he cannot stop a player who is confident from taking a penalty.
“It’s about the player’s confidence at the time. But we have a plan. We will have a competition in the team with five or six boys and we will work on penalties.”
Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero impressed, but Mashaba did not want to single him out for praise, preferring to give credit to the whole team when asked about the player’s performance.
Bafana player ratings:
ITUMELENG KHUNE – 5
A spectator for a large chunk of the game, Khune could do very little to stop Ahmed Musa’s sweetly struck shot five minutes from time.
THULANI HLATSHWAYO – 6
The skipper spent the majority of the afternoon supplementing the home side’s attacking options rather than defending, such was Bafana’s dominance.
ERICK MATHOHO – 7
Dogged and determined. Was calm and enjoyed his return after missing the Swaziland game. He claimed the man of the match award.
RIVALDO COETZEE – 6
The youngster keeps improving as a senior team player. He looked assured and confident playing alongside Mathoho.
THABO MATLABA – 4
The left back got forward quite a bit, but ran out of ideas in the opposition half. Was guilty of giving away possession cheaply. He was taken off after 80 minutes.
THULANI SERERO – 7
Oh, but why wasn’t he at the Africa Cup of Nations? Serero was a menace, with his clever turns and quick one-twos. He got himself into the box a couple of times and won a penalty for Bafana after he was fouled by Itama Oboabona.
ANDILE JALI – 4
His casually taken penalty was saved, two long range shots went wide of goal and gave away possession cheaply. Made some good tackles, but was far from his best.
BONGANI ZUNGU – 6
Saved Bafana from defeat with the all important equaliser in stoppage time. Had a decent game in midfield after a shaky start.
OUPA MANYISA – 4
Did not look too comfortable playing out wide on the left. He had some good touches and an attempt at goal, but was too quiet by his standards.
SIBUSISO VILAKAZI – 3
Probably his worst game in a Bafana jersey. Ineffective and struggled to come up with anything to break down Nigerian defence. Vilakazi gave away the ball which led to Nigeria’s goal.
TOKELO RANTIE – 4
He was full of running, as usual, but was not very effective. Decision making in the final third continues to let him down.
LEHLOHONOLO MAJORO – 3
Came on for Rantie, but was not any better than the player he replaced.
SIBUSISO KHUMALO – 3
Replaced Matlaba. The SuperSport United man did not really get into the action.
THUSO PHALA
Not on the pitch long enough for a rating.
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