Baxter: youngsters made good progress at Cosafa Cup

BAFANA Bafana coach Stuart Baxter said he was pleased with the progress of the younger players during the Cosafa Cup.

“I would say it is mission accomplished after a very good camp, where some of the young players made very good progress and got good international game-time,” was Baxter’s verdict of the tournament.

Baxter selected youth for the Cosafa Cup to give players international exposure with the African Nations Cup qualifiers that resume in September in mind.

The team lost on penalties to Madagascar in the quarterfinal after a 0-0 draw but recorded emphatic victories over Namibia (4-1) and Botswana (3-0).

His side were well on top in the Plate final on Friday night as Motjeka Madisha, Aubrey Modiba and Lebohang Maboe grabbed goals.

Baxter said the tournament had been tightly fought and that it was an invaluable experience for his side.

“The whole tournament involved close games. I don’t know how many were decided on penalties.

“If you are playing against Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia or Namibia, for our young players it is still very important international minutes on the field.”