DURBAN — Bafana Bafana boss Gordon Igesund insisted that changes made to the starting line-up that went on to beat Angola 2-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium were not an indication of a coach in panic mode, but rather a calculated risk.
Report by Supersport
Following the 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in the opening match of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the National Stadium last Saturday, Igesund and his team were under pressure to put up a better performance against the Palancas Negras.
It was an inspired performance they dished up to the appreciating Durban crowd. It was the five changes Igesund effected that appeared to provide the much-needed kick. Igesund bravely left out midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Thabo Matlaba and Kagisho Dikgacoi (through injury).
“A lot of people will look and say the coach has made five changes because he is panicking, but I was not panicking. That’s the kind of risk I took and it had nothing to do with panicking.
“It was the kind of team I put out to win this game today. That’s what it’s about having a team that you believe in that can go and get the job done,” said Igesund.
Bafana play their last group match against Morocco at the same venue knowing a draw will be sufficient to take them through. Victory will guarantee them a top spot, which will mean they remain in Durban for the quarter-finals. Igesund hinted he could yet make further changes to his line-up.
“Against Morocco it might be another three changes because Morocco and this team that we played here today are totally different, with different type of players and different styles of play,” he said.
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Igesund believes the crowd made a huge difference in getting the players going.
While there were still a lot of unoccupied seats at the start of the match, the venue filled up by the second half. “First of all, let me take this opportunity to thank this wonderful crowd here today. From the first whistle to the end they got behind this team; that makes a huge difference.
“The effort we had against Cape Verde was totally different. The commitment was there but it was a different type of a game.”
