Bafana coach Ntseki shrugs off Zambia’s defeat and focuses on the AFCON playoffs



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Molefi Ntseki (Gallo Images)

Molefi Ntseki (Gallo Images)

  • Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki believes the start of the PSL will give players more playing time to prepare for next month’s AFCON playoffs.
  • Despite Bafana Bafana’s defeat to Zambia, the coach is confident that the national team will win against São Tomé and Príncipe.
  • South Africa will face the island nation in back-to-back AFCON qualifiers next month.

Following a 2-1 loss to Zambia on Sunday, Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki was quick to shift its focus to next month’s 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe.

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South Africa was looking for a victory after drawing 1-1 against its neighbor Namibia earlier in the week.

However, after taking a 1-0 lead midway through the second half courtesy of Keagan Dolly, Zambia responded with two goals in quick succession to take the spoils.

The loss means that Ntseki’s record is now two wins, two losses and a draw since he replaced Stuart Baxter last year.

The 51-year-old now has his sights set on Bafana Bafana’s AFCON qualifying matches against Santo Tomé.

“We are going to be ready because at the local level PSL kicks off next weekend (MTN8 quarterfinals) and I think the coaches and physical trainers will prepare the players and we can only benefit from that operation,” Ntseki told media after the game.

“Tactically, the boys responded very well, and it means that for the Santo Tomé game they will be physically prepared because what they have seen today is that tactically we are at the level we want to be at.

“We cannot have the tactical resistance due to the physical level we are in, but I believe that when Santo Tomé arrives we will be ready to compete and win.”

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