Bafana Bafana are through to the last 16 of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, after beating neighbours Zimbabwe 3-2 in a thrilling final Group B clash in Marrakesh stadium on Monday evening.
Bafana only needed a win or draw to advance to the knockout stages of the AFCON.
Bafana’s goals were scored by Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, with Oswin Appolis securing the winner from the penalty spot in the dying minutes, after Zimbabwe twice came from behind to equalise the score.
Despite the win, coach Hugo Broos said much more still needs to be done, when the team meet its next opponent in the next six days.
“We started very well, good football, and the circulation of the ball was good.
Until the moment we scored the goal, for one or another reason we made the same mistakes as in the previous games.
Back passes, not taking the positions anymore, and give the opportunity to the opponent to be dangerous,” said Broos.
The coach cited the first goal scored by Zimbabwe as disappointing, as the player run three or four Bafana players without being tackled before scoring the goal.
He cautioned the team to improve in all departments, adding that despite its dominance, it still allowed Zimbabwe to apply pressure on them.
He emphasised that he was not happy with the performance of some players and is hopeful that this will be mended in the next few days.
“This is a little problem for us; I think we must look after that in a week.
We have six days now before we have our next game.
We must put that right, and play for the clean sheet, like we did in the previous AFCON,” cautioned the Belgian mentor.
Broos implored the team to improve on its passes, focus, concentration, and not be complacent, as there’s no room for mistakes in the knockout stage.
Despite his disappointment with the team’s overall performance, Broos commended the performance of players like Foster and Appolis.
The 1996 champions will now face either defending champions Ivory Coast or Cameroon in the knockout stage.
