SOGGY BAFANA SHOW
CHANCE LOST: PERFECT TIME TO GET POINTS ON BOARD
Libyan coach has kind words to say after stalemate.
It was a gloomy, rainy day in Durban on Saturday, mirrored by a damp squib of a goalless draw between Bafana Bafana and Libya, and what lingered post-match was an all-too familiar feeling of underachievement.
Bafana were held by their North African opponents with worrying ease at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, somewhat wiping out the fine work done in their opening Group E qualifying win in Nigeria on the road to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon next year.
“The players worked really hard but we have to be disappointed because it was a home game and a massive chance to take three points,” said Stuart Baxter afterwards.
“(Before the qualifiers start) if you look at our points against Nigeria away and Libya at home, four points are quite attractive,” added the Bafana coach.
“But after we beat Nigeria, it doesn’t sound so attractive, we would have liked to have six points on board.”
Midfielder Dean Furman, one of the few bright sparks on the day, bemoaned their lack of ability to break through their opponents’ well-organised defence. In fact, Libya probably had the better chances, hitting the post in the first half, and drawing a couple of decent saves out of Itumeleng Khune.
“It was a huge opportunity to capitalise on the win in Nigeria and we haven’t done that,” said Furman.
“For the amount of ball we had I don’t think we created enough genuine chances. For all our play we didn’t really cut through them as we have done to other sides in the past. We are happy with the clean sheet but ultimately it is two points lost. Having said that, four points puts us right up there, joint top (of the group). It is all to play for … hopefully the areas we didn’t get it right today we can improve on going forward.”
The kindest words about Bafana’s overall performance probably came from Libya coach Adel Amrouche, whose side picked up a brilliant away draw, particularly when you consider the current political turmoil in their country.
“When you play South Africa it is not easy, I always say that for me, in South Africa and Zimbabwe you can find a diamond (of a player) … I don’t say that just because I am here in South Africa. I think what you have is wonderful, you have organisation, stability in the country, a good plan with a coach who is doing a good job. People in football all want results today but you must be patient,” said Amrouche.
Patience, however, is certainly limited when it comes to Bafana head coaches, whether from supporters or the South African Football Association, and it may well run out if Bafana cannot get victories in their next two qualifiers, home-and-away fixtures next month against the Seychelles, by far the weakest-looking team in Group E.