New Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana is starting to weave his magic after his charges demolished Equatorial Guinea 4-1 in their 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier at the Super Stadium on Saturday — but Santana is not getting carried away just yet.
The good news from Bafana manager Sipho Nkumane is that skipper Aaron Mokoena, who left the battle in the 78th minute with a shin injury, will be fit to lead his men into their tough away qualifier against Sierra Leone in Freetown this Sunday.
But Mokoena’s central defensive partner Bevan Fransman may miss the trip after he suffered a concussion that forced him to leave the field in the 25th minute.
Said Nkumane: ”Fransman was kept in hospital on Saturday night for observation. Mokoena should be fit by the weekend.”
While savouring the win, Santana said he was worried about injuries to both his central defenders.
”I will see on Monday when we reassemble for camp how serious the injuries are. Losing both central defenders would be a terrible blow. We have already lost one central defender [Nasief Morris] so hopefully both will be okay by the weekend.”
Morris, who plays for Greek giants Panathanaikos, underwent an operation in the off-season and misses the four qualifiers this month.
Said Santana: ”It is normal to feel happy when I win. I am very happy today, not just me, but for the players, the fans and the newspapers who now have something positive to write about.”
”I have only been here in the country for 15 days and have had less than two weeks with the players. The first match away to Nigeria was tough but things are improving and yes, I will go home happy tonight. It was a really good all round performance.”
Bafana were outgunned 2-0 by the Super Eagles in Abuja last Sunday while Equatorial Guinea beat Sierra Leone by the same score at home the same afternoon.
He said that he was starting to understand his and they were starting to understand his methods and tactics.
Barring injuries and depending on how quickly both Mokoena and Fransman recover, Santana said he would use the same side that easily beat Equatorial Guinea against Sierra Leone. – Sapa