Bafana kicked off their 2024 Cosafa Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique. And coach Helman Mkhalele says he is disappointed with the result. He says they should do better in the next game.
South Africa’s Group A set the tone of the Cosafa Cup clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday. In the early kick-off, Botswana and Eswatini played to a goalless draw. This while Bafana and Mozambique also shared spoils with a 1-1 stalemate.
As expected, Bafana started the game on the front foot and was all over the Mozambiquans as they struck the woodwork inside two minutes and created enough goal-scoring opportunities.
Scored in 39th minute
Their persistence would bear fruit as they found the back of the net in the 39th minute. This was through captain Rushwin Dortley, at close range.
The visitors did, however, get an equaliser in the second half. Substitute Chamito Labarina Alfândega fired a shot from range in the 65th minute. He left a fully stretched goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto with no chance to end the game with a draw.
After the match, Mkhalele said he was very proud of the way his boys performed. Even though they only went into camp a few days before the start of the tournament.
“I’m proud of my team and the performance they gave. But in terms of the results, I am a little bit disappointed. Because we gave away a lead where it was unnecessary,” Mkhalele told Safa media.
“During the first half, we dominated. Even though we created clear chances but could not take advantage of that situation.
Lessons learnt for the next game
“But the good thing is that we know where we went wrong in terms of defending our lead. Because we did not apply ourselves very well in making sure that we protect that lead.
“We started opening and giving them spaces, more especially when they brought in fresh legs. We were supposed to stay compact in making sure that they didn’t get the space. So, those are some of the things we will be working on for our next game.
“But overall, I am quite happy with the attitude and commitment of this group of players.”
Bafana will now shift their attention to Botswana in their second match on Saturday afternoon.
