Baxter hails Bafana players after Seychelles drubbing
Coach Stuart Baxter praised his players for beating Seychelles at the FNB stadium in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Stuart Baxter coach of South Africa (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)
Bafana Bafana managed to score six goals on Saturday afternoon in Johannesburg to keep their chances of qualifying for the continental competition alive.
An own goal broke the deadlock in the first half, followed by goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo, Lebo Mothiba, Percy Tau, Dino Ndlovu and Teboho Mokoena.
“Yeah, it was a very good win,” said Baxter after the match.
“We can get carried away with six goals and say it was a good win because we scored six goals. But I think that will be taking a lot away from the performance of players,” he added.
“To start with coming up against the ‘underestimation factor’ which has not been our strong suit, we have been working very hard this week to try and negate that. And you score three goals in the first half in poor weather, playing some really good football, you got to go out in the second half,” he commented.
“When it is half time, it is very easy for the players to relax and it becomes a 3-1 because they get an offside or a penalty,” he said.
“So, I think the way the players played, they should be congratulated maybe more than the fact that they got six goals. They played very well. They were disciplined, they stuck to a game plan and structure, and the players who went on they knew exactly what they needed to do,” Baxter praised.
“I just thought that the players did a fantastic job. Yes, it was a great win, I think we should say that it was a great win for the right reasons,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Tau was guilty of squandering a number of opportunities in the first half which saw fans get on his back, although he would eventually get his name onto the scoresheet in the second half.
“I have to say I don’t think Percy was complacent. Maybe the one that he missed, he disappointed himself,” Baxter explained.
Baxter says he will not focus on his side’s mistake in the match.
“But I won’t focus at all (on mistakes). They won’t see one mistake that was made today. Because I think their overall performance, I think we should want more of that,” Baxter remarked.
“I just think that when South Africans play in a structured enough way, where they can move the ball and use their speed and imagination, we have potential in this country,” he said.
“I won’t be showing the negative stuff, I will be showing the good stuff and want more of that,” he expressed.
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