Costly draw sets SA back as Libya compete
Baxter content with his strategy
Stuart Baxter says Bafana Bafana were not surprised by Libya not just coming to Durban to sit back and defend in a 0-0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying stalemate on Saturday. The result at a rain-soaked Moses Mabhida Stadium was a blow to Bafana in their Group E campaign.
Libya coach Adel Amrouche had promised that his team had not come to play for a draw and park the bus.
Asked if the Libyan approach surprised Bafana, Baxter said: “No. I said before the game that I had seen them play two different ways. And I saw them play two different ways in one game. So I knew they had a more aggressive pressing game and I knew they could drop off and try to tempt us to press a bit higher and then get in behind us.
“So we had to practise two different games as well. And the players did a good job in terms of that because Libya didn’t get a goal, and we were the ones who were supposed to push on and win the game.”
Baxter had warned earlier that Libya would be a tough outfit to break down.
Bafana will draw some backlash for a game that, had they won, would have put them firmly in the driving seat for Cameroon 2019. Baxter put out an attacking and quick line-up of Keagan Dolly and Vincent Pule on his wings outside of Percy Tau, who played as the lone striker. Perhaps the coach might have had Sibusiso Vilakazi as a second striker from the start, as he was pushed up as in the second half, rather than as part of a midfield three.
Bafana could not be faulted for effort. Their performance as a unit was not lackadaisical.
They just could not win.
South Africa and Libya both have four points. Nigeria, who beat Seychelles 3-0 away, have three points.
Bafana must win in their next two matches against Seychelles on October 10 (home) and October 13 (away).
Group E Log
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