Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana boss Pitso Mosimane was upbeat despite defeat following his side's 1-0 loss to the United States on Wednesday evening.
A late goal from Juan Agudelo was enough to hand USA the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy and end South Africa's unbeaten run under Pitso Mosimane at the Cape Town Stadium.
And although the Bafana boss was disappointed with the result, he was pleased with what he saw from his charges.
Mosimane made eight changes to the squad that featured in the last game against Sierra Leone.
"I think we had a difficult game and I said before the game that it's the kind that we play against a team that is tactically organised and disciplined and I knew it wouldn't be easy to penetrate them down the middle.
"We didn't start well and the first 10 to 15 minutes were not good for us, but we got better as the game went on and we finished strongly.
"We managed to get behind their left and right backs, but not in the centre.
"I told the players at half-time that this would be a 1-0 game and whoever scores will win.
"Overall I think we gave a good account of ourselves. But as Bob (Bradley) said to me, this is the price you pay when make eight changes, which we did from the Sierra Leone game.
"Losing is part of football though and I have been a coach for 10 years now and I have lost and won games, but losing is part of the game and it happens to everyone, not only me."
The Bafana mentor praised new recruit Davide Somma as he impressed on his debut for the national team.
Mosimane believes the Leeds United frontman has a big part to play in Bafana's future.
"We know what to expect from him and I gave him a chance and he did well. I'm happy with him and I think he has a future in this team," he added.
Mosimane admitted that there was still a lot of work to be done before his side's next AFCON qualifying clash against African champions Egypt in March, and revealed that his charges would play a friendly before then in order for him to tinker with his side.
He continued: "We will have a friendly before we play Egypt and for me I need to find out and see what have I left behind .
"So I have got to give other people a chance and see. The next game is not confirmed yet, we wanted to play Libya because they are North African. But all the Northern African teams are playing each other. We will find somebody to play."
USA boss Bob Bradley was happy to come away with the win.
"I thought that both teams were able to pressure and make it difficult. South Africa in the first half were good and we weren't able to connect the passes, but as the game went on we got better.
"I was happy with our defence and it was great for to see the young players coming through today (Wednesday)."
Bradley was delighted with 17-year-old debutant Agudelo, who came off the bench and scored the goal that gave the visitors victory.
"He is a young player, he played with the Under-17 team this year and with New York Red Bulls and at the end of the season he began to make an impact.
"The plan on Wednesday was that he would be a substitute in the second half and it was a good start and an exciting night for him."
A late goal from Juan Agudelo was enough to hand USA the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy and end South Africa's unbeaten run under Pitso Mosimane at the Cape Town Stadium.
And although the Bafana boss was disappointed with the result, he was pleased with what he saw from his charges.
Mosimane made eight changes to the squad that featured in the last game against Sierra Leone.
"I think we had a difficult game and I said before the game that it's the kind that we play against a team that is tactically organised and disciplined and I knew it wouldn't be easy to penetrate them down the middle.
"We didn't start well and the first 10 to 15 minutes were not good for us, but we got better as the game went on and we finished strongly.
"We managed to get behind their left and right backs, but not in the centre.
"I told the players at half-time that this would be a 1-0 game and whoever scores will win.
"Overall I think we gave a good account of ourselves. But as Bob (Bradley) said to me, this is the price you pay when make eight changes, which we did from the Sierra Leone game.
"Losing is part of football though and I have been a coach for 10 years now and I have lost and won games, but losing is part of the game and it happens to everyone, not only me."
The Bafana mentor praised new recruit Davide Somma as he impressed on his debut for the national team.
Mosimane believes the Leeds United frontman has a big part to play in Bafana's future.
"We know what to expect from him and I gave him a chance and he did well. I'm happy with him and I think he has a future in this team," he added.
Mosimane admitted that there was still a lot of work to be done before his side's next AFCON qualifying clash against African champions Egypt in March, and revealed that his charges would play a friendly before then in order for him to tinker with his side.
He continued: "We will have a friendly before we play Egypt and for me I need to find out and see what have I left behind .
"So I have got to give other people a chance and see. The next game is not confirmed yet, we wanted to play Libya because they are North African. But all the Northern African teams are playing each other. We will find somebody to play."
USA boss Bob Bradley was happy to come away with the win.
"I thought that both teams were able to pressure and make it difficult. South Africa in the first half were good and we weren't able to connect the passes, but as the game went on we got better.
"I was happy with our defence and it was great for to see the young players coming through today (Wednesday)."
Bradley was delighted with 17-year-old debutant Agudelo, who came off the bench and scored the goal that gave the visitors victory.
"He is a young player, he played with the Under-17 team this year and with New York Red Bulls and at the end of the season he began to make an impact.
"The plan on Wednesday was that he would be a substitute in the second half and it was a good start and an exciting night for him."
