Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says despite a disappointing 1-1 draw with European minnows Andorra, he’s pleased with some of the new call players who featured in the match on Thursday.
This as the team is playing in the FIFA International Series which also features the host Algeria.
The team didn’t resemble the one that won a bronze medal at the recent AFCON held in Ivory Coast, and four players, Elias Mokwana Thapelo Xoki, Mlondi Mbanjwa and Patrick Maswanganyi, made their debut.
Goalkeeper Ricardo Goss made a blunder in the fifth minute before allowing Ricardo Fernandez to tap into an empty net before debutant Mokwana equalised in the 25th minute.
Despite creating several goal scoring chances, Bafana Bafana failed to take a lead, which was also frustrated by Andorra which sat deep forcing the match to end in a draw.
“I’m satisfied, but not with the result, I tried to win today.
But I’m satisfied with the performance of this team, a totally new team.
I’m certainly satisfied with some of the players.
They’ve given me much satisfaction, and I think they are the guys on whom we can count on in the next three games that will follow in June and by the end of the year,” Broos told SAFA media after the match.
Broos said he was vindicated by the style of Andorra, which is ranked 164th in the FIFA rankings, as they defended and tried to physically intimidate Bafana Bafana players.
“We saw today what I said before the game.
It’s a team that is very defensive and physical.
They always look for the duels and play first the man then the ball, which is their style they have,” explained Broos.
Bafana will now play host in Algiers on Tuesday, and the coach is expected to field his strongest side against Algeria.
