Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter blames his team’s lack of authority in defence for Bafana’s 3-2 loss against Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Cup match played at the Epru Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena and Nasief Morris’s momentary lapse of concentration allowed Momar Ndiaye to slip past them in the dying moments of the game to clinch the match-winner, which annoyed Baxter no end.
”We have got to work harder at our defending, as we gave away goals cheaply,” an irritated Baxter said afterwards.
Ndiaye’s goal came as a result of miscommunication in the South African defensive system that also yielded two easy goals for Senegal in the first half.
Senegal’s opening goal from Souleymane Camara in the third minute exposed South Africa’s last line of defence as Camara lurked unnoticed in the goal area and tapped in the ball, which didn’t seem to cross over the line.
The second goal, which rebounded off the crossbar from a Hans Vonk save, also exposed the frailties of the Bafana defence after the hosts had gallantly mounted a comeback to level the scores through a Sibusiso Zuma goal.
”We just have to work harder at developing a defensive system. We had problems in height, physicality and the one-on-one situations, which we should have prevented,” Baxter said.
South Africa were well aware of the physical nature of the Senegalese, but their failure to take heed of Baxter’s warning during the week came back to haunt them.
However, Baxter left Port Elizabeth an optimistic man as his charges’ attacking flair and ball possession was something to smile about.
Furthermore, the likes of team youngsters Lebohang Mokoena, Elrio van Heerden, Phil Evans, Benedict Vilakazi and Jimmy Tau produced some encouraging performances.
”This was a good game for collecting information on where we are and where our problems lie,” added Baxter. ”It was also an indication that the system we have does suite South African football. We were good at patches, but not good enough to deliver the goods.
”It is a shame for the youngsters that they had to lose this game after playing so well.”
On his future with the team, Baxter said he is awaiting word from the South African Football Association ”on the future of South African football and whether I have a role in it or not”. — Sapa