Cape Town - Bafana Bafana left-back Sifiso Hlanti has thanked Shakes Mashaba after making his debut against Cameroon.
South Africa played to a goalless draw against The Indomitable Lions at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Hlanti made his debut following an injury to Thabo Matlaba and the 25-year-old put in a hardworking shift against the African giants, in which he was also awarded with the Man of the Match following the 90 minutes.
The Bidvest Wits defender says Mashaba advised him not to put himself under any pressure ahead of the encounter.
"For me as a player it was a great feeling and the coach is the one who told me I would have to get ready. He also told me not to put myself under pressure," Hlanti said as quoted by KickOff.
"But I want to thank the coach for the opportunity he gave me. It was my first time being in the national team which was a great moment. But as a team we showed good character and we showed a positive attitude but in football the results are what matters."