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Johannesburg - The honeymoon is over for South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane, but he has found a "fox in the box" in the form of his new striker Davide Somma.
Speaking after Bafana lost 1-0 to an experimental United States in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night, Mosimane reserved special praise for the Leeds United hitman.
"Somma has a future with Bafana and he showed he has talent. He is like a predator in that penalty area," he said.
"I have a new fox in the box. I was pleased with him and he is in my plans for the future."
Somma was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Sthembiso Ngcobo and has upped the competition for strikers such as Katlego "Killer" Mphela and Bernard Parker.
Despite losing to a sucker goal five minutes from time netted by teenager Juan Agudelo, Mosimane remains upbeat.
"The object of this friendly was to give players like Somma, (Daylon) Claasen and (Andile) Jali some game time and I was happy with what I saw."
But the former SuperSport United boss admitted he could have given another debutant, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Matthew Pattison, more game time. Pattison came on in the last three minutes to earn his first cap.
"Maybe I should have brought on Pattison earlier but I cannot play everyone at the same time."
Bafana outplayed the US side that are ranked 25th in the world and their coach Bob Bradley, admitted afterwards his side were under a lot of pressure.
"South Africa had us under a lot of pressure in the first half but we got stronger as the game went on," said Bradley.
Mosimane said he would rather lose 1-0 than play for a 0-0 draw.
"I never saw their goal coming, but I would rather lose 1-0 against the run of play than defend the last few minutes and try and hold out for a draw."
Mosimane was also full of praise for his captain on the night, Steven Pienaar, who ran himself ragged and was replaced in the 78th minute.
"Pienaar could not run any more and had to come off. He was exhausted after he played a storming match against Arsenal at the weekend in the English Premiership. He led by example and I was delighted with his efforts."
Mosimane also gave credit to the visitors. "Give the US credit for their professionalism and their tactical discipline. We had a few chances but their two centre backs were outstanding and we just could not get through," said Mosimane.
'Jingles' also refused to blame Kenyan referee Silvester Kirwa for not awarding Bafana a penalty when Somma was brought down inside the US danger zone in the 10th minute.
"I am not sure it was a penalty so there is nothing to complain about."
Speaking after Bafana lost 1-0 to an experimental United States in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night, Mosimane reserved special praise for the Leeds United hitman.
"Somma has a future with Bafana and he showed he has talent. He is like a predator in that penalty area," he said.
"I have a new fox in the box. I was pleased with him and he is in my plans for the future."
Somma was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Sthembiso Ngcobo and has upped the competition for strikers such as Katlego "Killer" Mphela and Bernard Parker.
Despite losing to a sucker goal five minutes from time netted by teenager Juan Agudelo, Mosimane remains upbeat.
"The object of this friendly was to give players like Somma, (Daylon) Claasen and (Andile) Jali some game time and I was happy with what I saw."
But the former SuperSport United boss admitted he could have given another debutant, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Matthew Pattison, more game time. Pattison came on in the last three minutes to earn his first cap.
"Maybe I should have brought on Pattison earlier but I cannot play everyone at the same time."
Bafana outplayed the US side that are ranked 25th in the world and their coach Bob Bradley, admitted afterwards his side were under a lot of pressure.
"South Africa had us under a lot of pressure in the first half but we got stronger as the game went on," said Bradley.
Mosimane said he would rather lose 1-0 than play for a 0-0 draw.
"I never saw their goal coming, but I would rather lose 1-0 against the run of play than defend the last few minutes and try and hold out for a draw."
Mosimane was also full of praise for his captain on the night, Steven Pienaar, who ran himself ragged and was replaced in the 78th minute.
"Pienaar could not run any more and had to come off. He was exhausted after he played a storming match against Arsenal at the weekend in the English Premiership. He led by example and I was delighted with his efforts."
Mosimane also gave credit to the visitors. "Give the US credit for their professionalism and their tactical discipline. We had a few chances but their two centre backs were outstanding and we just could not get through," said Mosimane.
'Jingles' also refused to blame Kenyan referee Silvester Kirwa for not awarding Bafana a penalty when Somma was brought down inside the US danger zone in the 10th minute.
"I am not sure it was a penalty so there is nothing to complain about."
