Head coach Hugo Broos was delighted after his Bafana Bafana side got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start with an encouraging 2-1 victory over Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Talisman Percy Tau got Bafana off to the perfect start with an early goal in the second minute. Before the emerging Khuliso Mudau doubled Bafana's lead crucially before half time.
READ | Bafana off to winning start in World Cup qualifiers
Speaking at the final whistle, Broos was delighted that his side clinched a win in front of a jubilant Durban crowd.
"It's very difficult to enjoy a game where every detail goes according to plan," Broos told the SAFA media.
"First of all, I have to say that I am very happy that we clinched a win in front of this crowd.
"It's been a very, very long time since I have seen a crowd like this and is the best since I've been here.
"So, thanks to the Durban crowd for showing up to the stadium in their numbers to support us.
"Secondly, I think we started well in the first half where we did what we needed to, which was to score two important goals.
"But, in the second half, Benin switched to a more pragmatic approach where they hit balls into their striker, who is very strong in the air.
"Then, with the second balls, they were more aggressive too.
"They managed to score, which caused us a bit of panic, which was certainly not the plan.
"I told my side at half-time that it was important to maintain our two-goal advantage and try to score the third one.
"But, the gameplan of Benin changed completely in the second half again, where they were more aggressive.
"Football is a simple game where you can go direct, where you have a guy who wins everything in the air, which proves hard to defend against.
"But, we kept going until the end, and that is the most important thing."
Broos also highlighted the importance of getting off to w inning start in a tough Group C.
"I said before that we're in a tricky group, where I don't know Benin's world ranking, but then on the field, you see the threats they pose," Broos added.
"You saw what happened with Nigeria, so every game will be a battle, it will be a fight for a good result, and we have that today.
"That is the most important thing."
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!