Mashaba praises fringe players after decisive win over Mauritius
BAFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba praised his players for showing character with a credible display to earn a 3-0 firstleg advantage in their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier against Mauritius on Saturday, despite preparations being hit by withdrawals.
A makeshift Bafana, who had one training session on Friday evening after their squad was decimated by withdrawals from PSL clubs, still managed to outclass Mauritius.
A brace from Siphelele Ntshangase and a goal from Thamsanqa Gabuza, all in the first half, earned the home team a threegoal advantage to take to the second leg in Mauritius in two weeks.
Mashaba said Bafana did well to break down the defensive islanders.
“We created 14 chances. The three goals we scored for now are enough.
“They will give us that courage we need going to Mauritius.
“The boys did very well, especially since some only arrived two days before the game. This is further proof of how much depth of talent we have in the country.
“To select a team on the eve of the game and they play this well, it tells us a lot.
“It’s only that maybe there are a few things we need to sort out as a nation and as a country,” he said.
Perhaps most pleasing for Mashaba would have been the combination be- tween Ntshangase and Gabuza, who showed a good understanding and played a hand in each other’s goals.
Orlando Pirates striker Gabuza hassled the Mauritius back four and scored a second international goal to add to a strike in last Tuesday’s 2-1 friendly win against Angola in Cape Town.
Black Leopards prospect Ntshangase showed good skills at playmaker.
“I think it was a good combination. It was a question of height and skills.
“Gabuza used his height and physique very well.
“Siphelele eliminated them very well with his skill and made some good passes,” Mashaba said.
“He scored himself. So I think with time we will have solutions to the problems we always talk about.
“Every time I bring in players I remind them they are professionals. The team played very well. Musa Nyatama was winning balls and distributing.
“Gift Motupa was the man of the match within the team, even if Siphelele was the player selected in the field.
“We will take almost the same team to the second leg, with a few additions,” he said.
Mashaba’s squad was hit by withdrawals after the coach went back on an agreement to field fringe players in the Chan qualifier.
The coach attempted to retain the local-based players from his squad for the 0-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia in Durban and the game against Angola.
This did not please the PSL clubs, who wanted their players to be rested in the off season.
‘ The boys did very well, especially since some only arrived two days before the game