JOHANNESBURG – Despite a 6-0 thrashing of Seychelles in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at FNB Stadium on Saturday, Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter is not savouring a rare moment of brilliance displayed by the national football team.
Instead, Baxter has insisted his side quickly turn their attention to the return match against the same opposition in Seychelles on Tuesday.
“I want to see that type of passion when we go there, we are not thinking of the past result; that is gone, and this is a new game altogether,” Baxter said after the game.
Bafana leave for the Indian Ocean island on Sunday, and play their opponents at Stade Linté on Tuesday at 2.30pm SA time, and another win would cement Bafana’s top spot in the group.
South Africa currently sit top of Group E with seven points from three games followed by Nigeria with six points and Libya with four.
Seychelles are yet to register a point.
Baxter said his team would try and avoid complacency in their next assignment with little time in between matches.
“We had a good win, but we should not be carried away.
“There was a new wave, the swagger from all the players; although one swallow doesn’t make a summer, the young players really showed lots of promise and that’s encouraging all round,” he said.
“The players did a fantastic job.
“We are aware what Seychelles are capable of; they created two big chances against Nigeria, and they would think they have a chance if they sit back in the opening minutes and frustrate us; we need to guard against that.”
Ultimately, becoming more clinical in front of goal was key to Baxter’s plans.
“We want more of that, more of that passion, discipline and professionalism. How the players played (on Saturday) was a structured South African way; the moving of the ball and everything,” he said.
“In certain areas we have real potential, and if we hit and play more of that, we can play good football and I want more of that.”
Seychelles bound, @BafanaBafana leaving for Seychelles.
They play the islanders on Tuesday, 16 October pic.twitter.com/XEkdrRCRxW
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 14, 2018