Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has expressed his disappointment following their 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their penultimate 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday afternoon.
The British-born mentor admitted that his men were not brave enough when it mattered most and will now have to fight until the death against Libya in their final match in Group E.
“I’m disappointed a little bit and I’m proud a little bit. We’ve taken four points off the Super Eagles and the only goal we’ve conceded so far in the tournament is an own goal,” Baxter told SuperSport TV.
“I’m disappointed that we weren’t braver, we said at half-time, we give them problems when we get through and get our movements, we run people away and challenge them one v one,” added the coach.
Reflecting on their second half performance, the former Kaizer Chiefs coach said they resorted to long balls and that was not a good plan to unsettle the Super Eagles.
“And in the second half we started to go long. We started to go really long and that’s a sign of nerves that we don’t want to concede,” continued the coach.
“I want a good run and delivery but not just hook it over the defence. Even the problems we gave them in the second half were the same, combinations. I’m little bit disappointed but the fight goes on,” said the coach.
Moreover, Baxter also shared his thoughts on midfielder Thulani Serero’s display following his return after a long absence from the national team fold.
“It was a big one for Thulani to come in because we didn’t have him in the game the way we wanted. So I changed him and put Percy (Tau) as a 10. We pulled (Thembinkosi) Lorch as a winger. It didn’t come out the way I wanted. I wanted play in between so the runs could come,” he concluded.
