Head coach Hugo Broos has heaped praise on striker Zakhele Lepasa and explained the absence of Lyle Foster as Bafana sealed qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa dramatically secured a 2-1 win over Liberia in Monrovia on Tuesday afternoon.
Broos' side needed a win to seal qualification ahead of their final Group K clash against Morocco in June after a disappointing draw against The Lone Stars at Orlando Stadium last week.
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However, Broos has since explained the decision to drop the Burnley forward and praised the influence of Lepasa who scored the opening goal in Monrovia, before Mihlali Mayambela added a second.
"It was not so good on Friday, we didn't have the best game, when we lost the ball, there was no immediate pressure and I know with Zakhele [Lepasa], he runs 90 minutes," Broos said.
"He scored a fantastic goal, he's very quick. He was there, the entire game he was present, so that's why we changed [to bring in] Zakhele.
"Also, I have to say that Lyle [Foster] didn't feel well this morning and we wouldn't take the risk because we knew that we needed players who were one hundred per cent and again I think the decision is right."
South Africa are now the fifth nation to book a seat for the continental showpiece that will take place in Ivory Coast in January next year. Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and hosts Ivory Coast have already qualified.
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