Victory piles more pressure on Bafana

BAFANA Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba said the three goals they scored against Angola in Benguela has put them under more pressure to seal the qualification deal.

The national team is a better side on the road and they showed that with their 3-1 win during their 2018 World Cup qualifier.

South Africa meet Angola in the second leg tomorrow at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Mashaba said he was not worried by Andile Jali’s red card for inciting the fans after scoring the third goal via a penalty. Jali, though, has not left the camp despite the sending off, with Mashaba saying it would damage the midfielder psychologically if he were dismissed from camp.

“We are governed by rules and the match official stated that he [Jali] incited the fans by the way he celebrated and there’s nothing we can do. Fifa rules clearly state that don’t show any form of gesticulating towards the opposition crowd because it will make them angry, more so when the score is 3-1. They were bound to retaliate. The match official was sticking to the rules,” Mashaba said.

“We are under pressure with the 3-1 win because it could be a different story physiologically if they score first. Had we won by four or five goals, it would have been different and we would have been a bit more comfortable. It allows us to dictate terms before the game even starts.”

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu was the stylist to Jali’s unbridled aggression and he quietly thrived while Angola were discomfited by Jali’s muscular performance. But Jali’s absence means Zungu will have to put in a physical shift.

Zungu admitted that he was lacking in the physical department even though that is not what he is picked for.

Dean Furman held up the fort very well in the second half, which left Zungu in no doubt about the strength in depth they possess in midfield.

“We are fortunate that we are blessed with quality players in our team in most, if not all the positions. I know we’re going to miss him [Jali] but the midfielders that we have can more than do the job. . . Anyone who is picked by the coach on the day will do the job,” Zungu said.