Tyson, Shakes rue conceding late
Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo said the team needs to learn from Saturday''s 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in which they conceded a late goal when victory was beckoning.
“We need to learn from such errors. We can''t continue giving away silly goals like that if we want to go far. We were seconds away from victory but threw the game away,” said a somewhat distraught Hlatshwayo known in football circles as Tyson.
The Wits and Bafana captain said the technical team had emphasised the need to tighten things up especially towards the dying minutes but again fell to a painful sucker punch.
“Hopefully we have learnt a bitter lesson and that is something that should never be repeated again.”
His sentiments were echoed by coach Ephraim ''Shakes'' Mashaba who admitted the 90th minute equaliser by the hosts could have been avoided as Bafana continued with their impressive away record.
“It was a silly goal to give away. But there is no need to cry over spilt milk. Overall, I think we had things under control after surviving an early onslaught early in the first half. But having grown in confidence, I think we could have scored a famous away win,” said Mashaba.
The national coach flatly refused to blame Moroccan referee who gave the home team two soft penalties saying it was useless to mourn over officiating.
“They (referees) are only human and it will be folly to have a go at them. They are under pressure and like any individual are at times susceptible to making mistakes. How does it help sitting here and blaming them?” he asked rhetorically.
Mashaba rather opted at looking on the positives saying Eleazer Rodgers gave the Burkina Faso defence a torrid 90 minutes.
“He gave us something we missed in the past. Winning aerial balls when under pressure! He never allowed the defence to settle down and he never stopped running throughout the game.”
Mashaba also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune whom he said was almost pulled off the starting line-up minutes before kick off after battling a running tummy.
On the November 7 second World Cup qualifier against Senegal at home, Mashaba said it would be great to go to the Festive Season sitting on four points.
“We beat them a couple of years in the Nelson Mandela Challenge and we should compete when we meet at home.”
SUPERSPORT.COM
“We need to learn from such errors. We can''t continue giving away silly goals like that if we want to go far. We were seconds away from victory but threw the game away,” said a somewhat distraught Hlatshwayo known in football circles as Tyson.
The Wits and Bafana captain said the technical team had emphasised the need to tighten things up especially towards the dying minutes but again fell to a painful sucker punch.
“Hopefully we have learnt a bitter lesson and that is something that should never be repeated again.”
His sentiments were echoed by coach Ephraim ''Shakes'' Mashaba who admitted the 90th minute equaliser by the hosts could have been avoided as Bafana continued with their impressive away record.
“It was a silly goal to give away. But there is no need to cry over spilt milk. Overall, I think we had things under control after surviving an early onslaught early in the first half. But having grown in confidence, I think we could have scored a famous away win,” said Mashaba.
The national coach flatly refused to blame Moroccan referee who gave the home team two soft penalties saying it was useless to mourn over officiating.
“They (referees) are only human and it will be folly to have a go at them. They are under pressure and like any individual are at times susceptible to making mistakes. How does it help sitting here and blaming them?” he asked rhetorically.
Mashaba rather opted at looking on the positives saying Eleazer Rodgers gave the Burkina Faso defence a torrid 90 minutes.
“He gave us something we missed in the past. Winning aerial balls when under pressure! He never allowed the defence to settle down and he never stopped running throughout the game.”
Mashaba also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune whom he said was almost pulled off the starting line-up minutes before kick off after battling a running tummy.
On the November 7 second World Cup qualifier against Senegal at home, Mashaba said it would be great to go to the Festive Season sitting on four points.
“We beat them a couple of years in the Nelson Mandela Challenge and we should compete when we meet at home.”
SUPERSPORT.COM
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article