Bafana shake off nerves

Head coach Hugo Broos is delighted how his charges executed the game-plan.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos was happy that Bafana Bafana overcame a nervous start to execute their game-plan superbly in a 4-0 hammering of Namibia at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Sunday.

Namibia put Bafana under pressure in the early stages at the Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, but a 12th minute penalty from Percy Tau settled the team down and a Themba Zwane brace meant that Bafana effectively killed the game off by half-time.

Substitute Thapelo Maseko added another in the second-half as South Africa put their fate very much in their own hands, going into tomorrow’s final Group E match against Tunisia.

“We know we had to win the game today to have some chance of going through to the group stages,” said Broos, whose side lost their opening match 2-0 to Mali.

“So we were a bit nervous in the beginning of the game, but….certainly after the first goal we were freed-up and we played a good game.

“We did a good analysis of our opponent and showed our players where their weaknesses and strongest points were. They are very dangerous from long balls, so we trained for that, and they were not that dangerous today.”

As well as the win, Broos was also happy with the margin of victory, as goal difference could yet prove vital in making the last-16.

“It was important for goal difference and a boost in confidence ahead of the game on Wednesday [tomorrow], against a very strong opponent who also have to win to stay here in the Ivory Coast. We will prepare the team very well and let’s hope we are ready.”

A win over Tunisia will guarantee Bafana a place in the last-16, while a point is also likely to send Bafana through.

Even a loss to Tunisia could get Bafana into the next round, as long as Namibia lose to Mali in the other final Group E match.

That scenario, however would leave Bafana’s fate in the lap of the Gods, dependent on them being one of the four best third-place finishers in the group.