Bafana Bafana
Komphela: Support Bafana
2012-06-05 14:06
Johannesburg - Interim Bafana Bafana coach Steve
Komphela has asked for patience and support for the team as they resume
their 2014 FFIA Soccer World Cup qualifying campaign.
"The players we have in camp, who are soldiers, need support," Komphela said on Tuesday.
"We have to accept and support. It's the only way."
Komphela,
the Free State Stars mentor and former Bafana captain, will guide South
Africa in their next two matches after the SA Football Association
announced earlier on Tuesday that former head coach Pitso Mosimane had
been sacked with two years left in his contract.
Bafana play
Botswana in a World Cup qualifier in Gaborone on Saturday and they face
Gabon in an international friendly later this month.
They drew
1-1 against Ethiopia in Phokeng on Sunday - a result that led to
Mosimane's departure after seven straight matches without a win.
He
had been on thin ice - certainly with the public - after the national
side failed to qualify for this year's Africa Cup of Nations.
Komphela and assistant coach Jaero Leal now face the challenge of lifting the squad for the crucial fixture against Botswana.
He admitted that the latest coaching development could either make or break the team in the coming weeks.
"The
biggest challenge this morning [Tuesday] was to get everybody in the
right state of mind," said Komphela, who had been called up to assist
Mosimane in April.
"From what we are feeling today... it will get better.
"We have to get the attitude right and try and win against Botswana. I'm hoping for the 'bounce back' factor.
"Reaction could be positive or negative, but I have seen positive indications."
Komphela
paid credit to Mosimane for the work he had done in his 23 months in
charge since taking over from Carlos Alberto Parreira in July 2010.
"He [Mosimane] did a helluva lot of good work, but that is football," Komphela said.
"Yes, we didn't get a result at the weekend [against Ethiopia], and didn't take chances, but we played well."
Bafana have faced criticism for their poor form upfront after failing to win any of their last seven matches.
"At the end of the day it's about the individual's confidence, and we have to build it," Komphela said.
"We have been working on finishing since last week, but training is the best teacher."
Defender
Tsepo Masilela, meanwhile, was ruled out on Tuesday with a hamstring
injury, while striker Katlego Mphela was nursing his knee.
Thulani Serero, however, returned after taking compassionate leave at the weekend.
Masilela will not be replaced in the squad, with Punch Masenamela in camp as his understudy.
Siboniso Gaxa could also fill in, while new cap and left winger, Mzikayise Mashaba, could fill the void if necessary.