Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos was satisfied with their 2-1 win over Benin in Saturday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture in Durban.
Bafana Bafana relished an early goal from Percy Tau in the second minute – and another from Khuliso Mudau shortly before half-time. Steve Mounie scored in the 70th minute for Benin.
“Sure I’m happy – it was not an easy game,” said Broos.
“But I said already don’t underestimate the opponent. They play a simple game – kick in front and then fighting for the ball.
“We had some problems in the second half and with the goal they scored there was a little panic in the group. But the most important thing for qualifiers is to win the games and we did.”
South Africa were challenged by the height of forward Mounie, who is 1.9 metres tall and has English Premier League and Ligue 1 experience.
“Against the game that Benin played it’s very difficult – you also need guys of 1.90 height. We dont have them,” added Broos.
“They kicked always the ball to that long player, and then with the header and then the second ball and this is difficult to defend.
“But they only had that one chance and it was a goal. At the other side we had two little chances to score the third goal – then the game would’ve been finished.”
South Africa’s next World Cup qualifier fixture will be against Rwanda on Tuesday. Whether Mothobi Mvala will be available for this fixture remains in the balance. He sustained a groin injury against Benin.
“This injury is a little bit more serious. Mvala – it’s his groin. We will see if he will be ready to play on Tuesday,” concluded Broos.
“We will see how things are going. My hope is that he will be ready.”
