South Africa beat Angola 2-0 to keep their record of never having lost to Angola intact. Goals came from Siyabonga Sangweni and Lehlohonolo Majoro.
Mphela says he does not mind not scoring as long as the team wins.
"I don't mind that I did not score, that doesn't matter. As long as we win. I think if by the time we go on to maybe the final, I will quickly get back to my sharpest,” Mphela said.
Asked whether this outing was his most physical battle in a Bafana jersey yet, Mphela said: "I think I have had some physical matches for Bafana before, but this one was different.
“It was a cup final for us, and it was tough out there. But we scored two goals and we are through to the next game.”
Coach Gordon Igesund got it right in central midfield by starting with Dean Furman and May Mahlangu instead of Kagisho Dikgacoi and 'Yeye' Letsholonyane.
This is what Mphela thinks of the foundation set by the pair who bossed the midfield from the first whistle.
"They added something different. They were dynamic and gave fresh ideas,” Mphela said.
“It was good to have someone like Dean, especially, because he won every ball and gave us that spirit.”