AFTER a credible 1-1 draw away to Burkina Faso in the opening fixture of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers on Saturday, Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba is targeting three points against Senegal next month.
Mashaba said it would be important to end the year at the top of the group.
He said Senegal’s 2-0 victory over Cape Verde also on Saturday had added more pressure on Bafana to go all out in their encounter.
But he believes he has the team to beat the West Africans, who are favourites to win the group.
“With the same determination and commitment we showed here today, we can beat them. We beat them before and can only hope that result gets repeated in the next game. This will be the last game of the year and it would be good to end the year on top of the group.”
But with Bafana struggling in front of their home supporters in official matches, Mashaba said a change of attitude would be needed in the coming fixture.
“I think we need to look at a change of attitude, as we tend to be too lenient at home and not as aggressive as we should be, like we are when we play away.
“It is something we need to look at because that’s where we should be winning games.”
Mashaba said a lapse in concentration was the cause of the drawn match on Saturday. Bafana conceded in injury time to draw the qualifier.
Even though they dropped two valuable points, Mashaba praised the players’ resistance and determination in the game.
“The good thing is that our away record is still intact. It was a good result but we could have won the game. We should have killed off the game before they equalised. But a draw and an away goal are not bad.”
Mashaba would not be drawn into talking about the level of Saturday’s game officiating after Moroccan referee Redouane Jiye awarded Burkina Faso two penalties, which they both missed. The referee also sent assistant Bafana coach Owen Da Gama to the stands late in the game.
“Match officials are human beings and tend to make mistakes, which sometimes are costly. You cannot change that,” said Mashaba.
He praised goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and striker Eleazar Rodgers for their performances, saying it was difficult to single out one outstanding player.
“Both had great games. Rodgers did very well, as he provided what we didn’t have at times – playing long balls in that area – but he needed more support, especially with the second ball. Khune kept us in the game because in the first 12 minutes or so we could have conceded two own goals, but he saved us.”
The shot-stopper also saved a first half penalty.
Bafana, who are due to return home this morning, next take on Ghana’s Black Stars in a friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tomorrow.
