Government has encouraged the National Soccer Team Bafana Bafana, its coaching and support staff to remain focused and confident as they prepare for their remaining matches in the FIFA World Cup tournament.
Bafana Bafana lost 2-0 to co-hosts, Mexico in their opening group match on Thursday night.
Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi says South Africa remains proud of Bafana Bafana and believes in their ability to bounce back stronger.
Bafana Bafana lost a player in each half after Siphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane received red cards. Sithole and Zwane will both miss the next game against the Czech Republic next Thursday.
‘OVERWHELMED’
Coach Hugo Broos admits that his players were overwhelmed by the occasion.
“I don’t think it’s a drop in the standards of my players it’s just the fact that this level is much higher than whatever level. We playing in the World Cup, we are playing against a good team, offensively I think we have to improve there were some opportunities that with the last pass the running of our players was not the right on. So I think this is something to improve in the next days and I am sure we can play the same game but being better offensively.”
Broos says the two red cards affected their game plan.
“It’s not nice for both players to get a red card in the first game of the World Cup. I think the first red card you have to accept it after Yaya (Sphephelo Sithole) committed a foul on a player on his way goal wards. “
He says, “I can understand, but the second one, the Mexico player blocked my player but that’s the decision of the referee but we have to accept it also it was a soft penalty. We have two players who can’t play in the next game but we still have other players and again if we can show the same mentality, and the same way we played today I am sure that we will have good results in the next two games.”
