Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba went on the defensive following his side’s 7-6 penalties defeat against a mixed-strength Botswana in the Cosafa Cup.A “developmental” South Africa could not score in normal time against a defensively well-organised Botswana in the quarterfinal at Moruleng Stadium on Sunday night.
Mashaba’s assertion that Ajax Cape Town refused to release players suggests other clubs might have done the same. Still, even with the players SA had against Botswana, the hosts should be disappointed not to progress past the first hurdle.
The Zebras were impressive in dealing with Marc van Heerden’s excellent setpieces. And Bafana’s weakness was the strength of their players in attack, managing just two shots on target.
Overall, this Cosafa Cup now seems likely to pose more questions than answers.
Mashaba, though, would have won himself more friends coming into the post-match conference admitting he was disappointed with the performance, rather than being defensive.
“It happens in a game,” he said in his summation. “The opposition played like they wanted the game to go to penalties. Unfortunately they managed that.
“In the 90 minutes they only invaded our area three or four times. And we attacked them – unfortunately it was just to put the ball in the net.”
SA’s disjointedness in the first half, and even when camping in the Botswana half in the second but being unable to penetrate, was disappointing given the team had four training matches going into the tournament.
“The biggest problem we had was injuries,” said Mashaba. “The top scorer in the PSL was injured.
“And the second thing, I think it’s a question of stage fright. The players we had, in media terms you call them ‘fringe’ players.
“But if you look at the games – we played Lesotho twice and drew 1-1 and 0-0. We beat Malawi 2-1 – even there it was a scrappy match.
“Tonight, we struggled to play for 20 minutes, but the last 20 of the first half we started playing as a team and pushed forward. In the second half we did everything – throw-ins, corners, set-pieces. Unfortunately we couldn’t finish.”
Mashaba remained defensive asked by a Batswana journalist if the coach felt the result was a failure.
“The problem here is we are going to talk in the media against the technical language,” the coach said.
“I hear you saying it’s a failure. I don’t know in terms of what. Because we competed until the penalty shootout.
“It’s just one penalty we missed. It’s not all about who you have in the team. It’s about what they can do. I think the boys played very well.
“There was a bit of progress – we played Lesotho twice, we drew; we played Malawi, we won. And we’re saying it’s getting there.”
Mashaba, however, had said since his appointment winning the Cosafa was important, before progressing to success in the Africa Cup of Nations, then thinking about the World Cup. Now, in this tournament, that is not possible.
Botswana were missing star player Mogakolodi Ngele of Platinum Stars, who did not pitch. Two PSL stars, Magogi Gabonamong and Joel Mogorosi, were on coach Peter Butler’s bench.
South Africa, now in the plate section, tomorrow meet the winners of last night’s quarter between Mozambique and Malawi.
Bafana failure no train smash
Mashaba’s assertion that Ajax Cape Town refused to release players suggests other clubs might have done the same. Still, even with the players SA had against Botswana, the hosts should be disappointed not to progress past the first hurdle.
The Zebras were impressive in dealing with Marc van Heerden’s excellent setpieces. And Bafana’s weakness was the strength of their players in attack, managing just two shots on target.
Overall, this Cosafa Cup now seems likely to pose more questions than answers.
Mashaba, though, would have won himself more friends coming into the post-match conference admitting he was disappointed with the performance, rather than being defensive.
“It happens in a game,” he said in his summation. “The opposition played like they wanted the game to go to penalties. Unfortunately they managed that.
“In the 90 minutes they only invaded our area three or four times. And we attacked them – unfortunately it was just to put the ball in the net.”
SA’s disjointedness in the first half, and even when camping in the Botswana half in the second but being unable to penetrate, was disappointing given the team had four training matches going into the tournament.
“The biggest problem we had was injuries,” said Mashaba. “The top scorer in the PSL was injured.
“And the second thing, I think it’s a question of stage fright. The players we had, in media terms you call them ‘fringe’ players.
“But if you look at the games – we played Lesotho twice and drew 1-1 and 0-0. We beat Malawi 2-1 – even there it was a scrappy match.
“Tonight, we struggled to play for 20 minutes, but the last 20 of the first half we started playing as a team and pushed forward. In the second half we did everything – throw-ins, corners, set-pieces. Unfortunately we couldn’t finish.”
Mashaba remained defensive asked by a Batswana journalist if the coach felt the result was a failure.
“The problem here is we are going to talk in the media against the technical language,” the coach said.
“I hear you saying it’s a failure. I don’t know in terms of what. Because we competed until the penalty shootout.
“It’s just one penalty we missed. It’s not all about who you have in the team. It’s about what they can do. I think the boys played very well.
“There was a bit of progress – we played Lesotho twice, we drew; we played Malawi, we won. And we’re saying it’s getting there.”
Mashaba, however, had said since his appointment winning the Cosafa was important, before progressing to success in the Africa Cup of Nations, then thinking about the World Cup. Now, in this tournament, that is not possible.
Botswana were missing star player Mogakolodi Ngele of Platinum Stars, who did not pitch. Two PSL stars, Magogi Gabonamong and Joel Mogorosi, were on coach Peter Butler’s bench.
South Africa, now in the plate section, tomorrow meet the winners of last night’s quarter between Mozambique and Malawi.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos