Coach admits lack of game time due to late start to season in South Africa almost cost his team
Despite a last-gasp 3-2 victory over South Sudan on Tuesday, Hugo Broos believes Bafana Bafana will qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
As Broos resigned himself to a point and a draw at Juba National Stadium by the 95th minute, Mbatha scored the winning goal in the 95th minute. Despite this, Mbatha scored a last-gasp goal to give South Africa their first qualification victory for the second time in his life.
Additionally, the Orlando Pirates midfielder netted in the 95th minute for Bafana, salvaging a 2-2 draw at Orlando Stadium on Friday - another match Bross believes Bafana should have easily won had they taken their chances, especially in the first half.
Bafana dominated the home side in Juba, created better chances but waited until the dying seconds of the game to grab the win before the third and fourth round against Congo.
On Friday, the Orlando Pirates midfielder scored in the 95th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw at Orlando Stadium - another game Bross believed Bafana should have easily won had they taken their chances, especially in the first half, and played more defensively.
As in Juba, Bafana dominated the home side, took far better chances, but left it until the last second to clinch the all-important victory before the third and fourth rounds against Congo.
As a result of a patchy performance against the Cranes, Romania-based centre back Siyabonga Ngezana was kept in the XI by Broos and conceded the penalty that led Tito Okello to open the scoring in the 17th minute. After Oswin Appollis' first-half brace gave South Africa a hard-earned lead, Valentino Yuel equalised at 2-2 when he slipped on his challenge.
"Our game wasn't sharp," the Bafana coach said after the match.
80% of the 23 players had played only friendly games because South Africa hasn't begun its season. When we had to play against these opponents, Uganda and South Sudan, who are aggressive and dedicated. You have to be as sharp as they are, but South Africa wasn't.
The competition starts in South Africa next week and we'll be sharper in October. That was my fear before these two games, that we might not be sharp.
We're lucky the good Lord was with us in these two games, since we scored against Uganda after 94 minutes and today [Tuesday] after 95 minutes."
Broos admits conceding four goals in two matches could have proved costly to Bafana, but he is pleased his team emerged relatively unscathed to share four points with Uganda at the top of Group K and is confident things will improve against Congo next month at home and away.
Ngezana and Rushwin Dortley, who made their debut against Uganda, were inexperienced, shaky central defenders for Bafana, who were missing injured captain Ronwen Williams.
Â
