Shakes hails Bafana performance
Updated | By Jacasport
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba showered his players with praise after defying the odds to beat hosts Costa Rica 1-0 in a highly charged friendly international match at a packed San Jose National Stadium on Thursday (Friday SA time).
A clinical finish by Andile Jali on the 9th minute separated the two sides in a match which was played on a high tempo throughout the 90 minutes.
“The boys showed they can mix it with the best in the world when their backs
are against the wall. I thought we really took total control of the game in the
first half and we were full value of the good lead going to the break.
“The defence was watertight and the midfielders played like a well-oiled
machine in the first 45 minutes. And what can I say about goalkeeper Itumeleng
Khune; despite suffering a recurring hamstring injury, he marshalled his
defence with aplomb. This is the spirit this team must carry going forward into
the World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Mashaba.
“I now want to go to Honduras and finish the good job we started here. It is
good to develop a winning culture ahead of meetings with Angola and next year’s
Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”
Apart from Jali whose goal came after an enterprising one-two passes with
Thulani Serero, Erick Mathoho, Anele Ngcongca and Rivaldo Coetzee were rock
solid at the back while Sundowns’ Bongani Zungu received plaundits from the
local media and public for his influential play in the midfield.
As the Costa Ricans chased for the elusive equaliser, Mashaba said he was
really impressed by his defence which he described at the press conference as
watertight and uncompromising when the hosts threw everything into attack.
Serero could have made it 2-0 soon after resumption but his powerful shot was
well saved by Keylor Nevas in goals for the hosts.
Bafana Bafana leaves Costa Rica on Friday and head to nearby Honduras where
they meet their counterparts on Tuesday, 13 October at Metropolitano Stadium in
San Pedro Sula.
Bafana Bafana 11 v Costa Rica: Itumeleng Khune (capt), Anele
Ngcongca, Rivaldo Coetzee, Erick Mathoho, Mosa Lebusa, Andile Jali, Bongani
Zungu, Mandla Masango, Thulani Serero, George Lebese, Sibusiso Vilakazi
Subs: Jackson Mabokgwane, Ronwen Williams, Siyabonga Nhlapo,
Thulani Hlatshwayo, Clayton Daniels, Muzi Mashaba, Dean Furman, Kamohelo
Mokotjo, Ayanda Patosi, Jabulani Shongwe
Costa Rica 11: Keylor Navas, Johnny Acosta, Celso Borges,
Oscar Duarte, Johan Venegas, Joel Campbell, Bryan Oviedo, Cristian Gamboa,
Teltsin Tejeda, Marco Urena.
Jacasport
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