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BAXTER BEMOANS BAFANA FINISHING
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter says he will have a talk with striker Luther Singh for his casual spot kick during the national team’s 4-3 loss on penalties to Madagascar in the quarterfinals of the Cosafa Cup at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium this past Sunday.
Bafana were made to rue missing plenty of goalscoring chances after playing to a goalless draw with the East African nation.
“It concerns me greatly when we don’t score goals, whether it’s from open play or penalties. I will speak to Luther about the way he took his penalty.
“We took penalties at training in preparation for the match and he took both his penalties very well, the thing is we can’t ask now if Luther was the right one to be given the penalty,” said Baxter
“He had two chances in the game, maybe his confidence was low, maybe he was nervous, maybe it didn’t come out as he looked, he looked like he wanted to be casual.
“In the beginning, Motjeka Madisha took a very good penalty he also looked casual, but if the keeper saves it there’s no explanation.
“It concerns me more on the chances we missed than on the penalties, but I will have a little word with Luther.”
Aside from missing the penalty, as Baxter noted, Singh also wasted chances during normal times and the Bafana coach said that he is worried about the striker’s performance.
“I am more concerned about him missing two very good chances, I think with the penalty I have seen the likes of Baggio miss, I have seen Baresi, I have seen great players miss penalties.
“I will try to explain to him that I am more concerned about his general play, and then I think the penalties will come up,” he added.
“I understand the question about his attitude because he looked very casual, but I am guessing that is his normal way of playing – when it doesn’t work it doesn’t matter how it doesn’t work.
“So I will speak to him because he will take it hard, he is a young boy, this is his first appearance for me and he really wanted to do well.”
Bafana Bafana will now play against Namibia in the plate semifinal at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium today.
It concerns me more on the chances we missed than on the penalties.