Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos praised the contribution of striker Zakhele Lepasa, after the SuperSport United striker led the line in a superb performance in a 2-1 win in Liberia on Tuesday that qualified Bafana for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
also read: Broos – Now you can kill me if we don’t reach the Afcon knockouts
Lepasa was a surprise inclusion as the main striker, Lyle Foster was injured on the morning of the match, but grabbed Bafana’s first goal and generally pressed Liberia from the front well.
“On Friday (Bafana drew 2-2 with Liberia at the Orlando Stadium) … when we lost the ball, we didn’t press immediately. I know Zakhele, he ran for 90 minutes,” said Broos.
“He scored a very good goal and he was very fast and he was there for us all game. That’s why we changed him to Zakhele. Lyle also didn’t feel well in the morning and we can’t take any risks (with him), we know we need a player who is 100 tip.
Bafana can now face Morocco at home in June in a lesser fixture, with both sides having already qualified for the Afcon finals.
“I’m very happy to have qualified… some people are talking about the series (in Liberia),”
The qualifiers will run until the final Group K match between Bafana and Liberia.
“We played in Morocco in June and we only played in September,” Broos said.
“You know with this program anything can happen. I’m not saying it’s intentional, but maybe in June Morocco comes to South Africa with a good team, and in September they are ready for Afcon, and bring a team with less quality (to play Liberia). .
“Now for us this (the game against Morocco) is a very good friendly game, even though it is a qualification, the result is not important. But we will try to prepare the team well and be ready in January in Côte d’Ivoire (in the Afcon final).
Control your emotions
Broos, meanwhile, defended Bafana team manager Vincent Ntseka, who was sent off in the first half against Liberia in Monrovia, and was caught on camera sending a volley of expletives at Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea.
“I think emotions sometimes make people do things they regret.
“I wasn’t there on Friday (Broos refused to speak to the media after Bafana’s 2-2 draw with Liberia at home). And I understand why, we lost the win and then you have to be very careful.
“What I saw today was some incorrect refereeing decisions. I can control my emotions but ok, this guy doesn’t. We can’t say we agree or disagree but it’s an emotion and tomorrow you will act like that.