Bafana Bafana head coach Joel Santana described his side’s crushing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Serbia in a friendly international played at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium on Wednesday as a test.
But Bafana failed this test badly. And unless he and his players learn their lesson from this loss which equalled Bafana’s worst on home soil — the 2007 African Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia at Newlands — they face a rocky path to the 2010 World Cup finals in June.
Santana conceded there was still room for discarded Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy and central defender Nasief Morris, to make their comebacks to the squad.
Said Santana: ”We are watching Benni and Morris. No player has been excluded as I will only finalise my 2010 squad by the end of December and even then I will only have the squad 95 percent completed.”
Santana, who arrived to take charge of his squad on Tuesday, is still feeling the effects of pneumonia and bronchitis that forced him to stay in Brazil where he was on holiday after guiding Bafana to fourth place in the Confederations Cup at the end of June.
Santana admitted that after an even first half, his players lost shape against a much better opponent who looked like their 14th world ranking. All the goals came after the break.
Said Santana: ”It is still early days, but tonight we were beaten by a top side who will definitely qualify for the World Cup finals here next June.
”However, I believe the score flatters Serbia.”
Serbia head the European World Cup qualifying Group Seven with 18 points, followed by France who have 13 after a 1-0 away win over
minnows, the Faroe Islands, on Wednesday.
France have a match in hand and play Serbia away on September 9. Said Santana: ‘To me Serbia provided us with a very good test. We need to play strong counties like Serbia, otherwise it would be a pointless exercise.”
Santana conceded Bafana need to show improvement and show more character: ”We do not mark well when not in possession of the ball.
”We were not as sharp as we were at the Confederations Cup because most of the players are just getting back from pre-season and are not as fit as they were in June.
”We will be working on more tactics and learn from Serbia.”
Bafana face two more tough tests when they play Germany in Leverkusen on September 5 and Ireland in Limerick on September 9.
”Both those friendly matches are against top nations and I need to give as many players a chance to stake a claim for a place in the World Cup squad.
Santana was impressed by striker Katlego Mphela who scored the consolation goal late into injury time, and Orlando Pirates left back Lucas Thwala, who came on in the second half.
Meanwhile Serbia coach Radomir Antic said he was impressed by Bafana. ”South Africa are an exciting side, well organised and troubled us with free kicks.
”This match was all I expected. It has helped me prepare for the rest of our World Cup programmed and gave me the chance to give new and fringe players game time and a chance to impress.”
One player who grabbed his chance was new Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic who came on as a second half substitute and ran the Bafana defence ragged scoring twice in the process.
The other goal was scored by Ivan Obradovic.
Said Antic: ”Tosic is a much improved youngster. He is so keen to do well I think he takes a soccer ball to bed with him.
”I believe United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has got a really good young player that he will keep improving.” — Sapa