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Cape Town - Bafana Bafana head coach Shakes Mashaba believes that it is pointless to blame the referee for making strange calls in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso.
South Africa were on the brink of an historic victory on Burkina Faso soil only for a dubious goal to rattle the back of the net during stoppage time.
Mashaba's charges took an 80th minute lead through Dean Furman only for substitute Banou Diawarra to give the home side something to cheer about in the dying moments of the game.
Mashaba admitted the 90th minute equaliser by the hosts could have been avoided despite
Bafana Bafana continuing their impressive away record.
"It was a silly goal to give away. But there is no need to cry over spilled milk,” said Mashaba as quoted by SAFA website.
“Overall, I think we had things under control after surviving an early onslaught early in the first half. But having grown in confidence, I think we could have scored a famous away win.”
The national coach flatly refused to blame Moroccan referee who gave the home team two soft penalties saying it was useless to mourn over officiating.
"They (referees) are only human and it will be folly to have a go at them. They are under pressure and like any individual are at times susceptible to making mistakes. How does it help sitting here and blaming them?" he asked rhetorically.
Mashaba rather opted at looking on the positives saying Eleazer Rodgers gave the Burkina Faso defence a torrid 90 minutes.
"He gave us something we missed in the past. Winning aerial balls when under pressure! He never allowed the defence to settle down and he never stopped running throughout the game."
Mashaba also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune whom he said was almost pulled off the starting line up minutes before kick off after battling a running tummy.
On the November 7 second World Cup qualifier against Senegal at home, Mashaba said it would be great to go to the Festive Season sitting on four points.
"We beat them a couple of years in the Nelson Mandela Challenge and we should compete when we meet at home."
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana will shift their focus to an international friendly against Ghana on Tuesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Kick-off is at 20:00.
