By Phenyo Selinda
Gqeberha- In a tightly contested Group A match at Isaac Wolfson Stadium, Bafana Bafana were held to a 0-0 draw by Botswana on Saturday, marking their second consecutive draw in the COSAFA Cup group stages.
This follow-up draw comes on the heels of a 1-1 stalemate against Mozambique in the opening fixture of the regional tournament. Despite numerous chances to clinch a victory, Coach Helman Mkhalele’s side struggled to convert their opportunities into goals, just as they did in their previous match.
Lack of Cutting Edge
Reflecting on the match, Coach Helman Mkhalele voiced his disappointment. “We were not in control of the ball, especially in the final third. We looked like we didn’t have the confidence,” Mkhalele said. He highlighted that the team lacked the necessary support and aggression needed to break through Botswana’s solid defence.
“We were unable to read the game well enough to support Thabang Sibanyoni, who was dominating aerial balls. We lacked confidence and speed in the crucial moments, focusing too much on keeping possession in our own half,” he added.
Botswana’s Tactical Discipline
Botswana’s coach, Didier da Rosa, expressed pride in his team’s disciplined performance. Despite another draw following their 0-0 result against Eswatini, da Rosa found positives in the defensive stability exhibited by his players. “It was a second draw of the tournament, but at least we didn’t concede any goal. I’m proud of my players for following the game plan so well. It was very interesting to see these young players showing such discipline,” he stated.
Look Ahead: Crucial Fixture Against Eswatini
Bafana Bafana’s next test will be against Eswatini in the final Group A match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 3pm on Tuesday. With only a few days to regroup, Mkhalele and his team will need to address their scoring issues urgently. The stakes are high as they strive to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.
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