JOHANNESBURG – Stuart Baxter leaped to striker Percy Tau’s defence after the crowd at FNB Stadium were frustrated by his missed chances in Bafana Bafana’s 6-0 romp against Seychelles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.
Tau did eventually hit the target, putting his name on the score-sheet alongside five of his teammates as the national side went top of Group E.
“I have to say, I don’t think there was any complacency from Percy,” said the coach after the match.
“Maybe he got in and the one that he missed he was disappointed with himself, and felt he’s got to make up the difference because we were talking about goal difference and things like that.”
At some stage before Tau scored, fans were rolling their wrists, calling for Baxter to make a substitution.
But the coach kept him on the pitch until after he’d got his goal.
He was also full of praise after the display and the record win margin.
“I just think that when South Africans play in a structured enough way, where they move the ball, can use their speed and their imagination in the right way, I think we have potential in this country,” Baxter said.
“But we can’t sit and say we have potential just because we think we have.
📽 HIGHLIGHTS .. South Africa 6-0 Sychelles
MD3 - Group E #AFCON2019Q pic.twitter.com/cHp22Q12BK
— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 13, 2018
“There were certain areas we hit, and if you think about the younger players we had on the pitch, they didn’t let anybody down. I was delighted with that as well.”
Bafana travel to Seychelles today for Tuesday’s return leg on the Indian Ocean island (2.30pm kickoff SA time).
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter was pleased with how his team dispatched Seychelles. Photo: Itumeleng English/African News Agency/ANA
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