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Johannesburg - The new-look Bafana Bafana side are maturing and will come of age during the 2010 World Cup.
That was the opinion of South Africa's assistant coach, Pitso Mosimane, after their stunning 1-1 draw against the 17th best side in world soccer, Mexico, at an emotional Soccer City in the opening Group A match of the global showpiece on Friday.
"We lack experience at this level and it showed in the first 20 minutes. Few people thought we had a chance against Mexico," Mosimane said."We proved them wrong and now we head into the next match against Uruguay on Wednesday with our tails up.
"Uruguay also pose another big test for the players, who are improving all the time."
Bafana have everything to play for going into Wednesday's game in Pretoria. Mexico and France, the other teams in Group A, meet in Polokwane on Thursday night.
"I am glad this game is out of the way. Mexico have the ability to change their shape of play and switch formations, which makes them difficult to play against. But we coped," Mosimane said.
"For the first 20 minutes we were nervous but once we settled we looked good.
"Our draw, considering the France-Uruguay match ended goalless, is good in that we have scored a goal. That goal could be crucial at the end of the round."
Mosimane reckons four points from the three group matches should be enough to qualify for the knockout phase.
"This is going to be a tight group, and who knows, three points might even be enough to reach the round of last 16.
"The players deserve credit for a great display after half-time, when at one stage we had Mexico in trouble. We could have won it at the death when Katlego Mphela hit the post in the last minute, but at the end of the day we are not complaining about earning a vital point."
Mosimane added that South Africa’s goal scorer, Siphiwe Tshabalala, who was named Man of the Match, is heading for a star-studded future.
"Tshabalala is in the best shape of his career. His goal was brilliant. It was a gem," Mosimane said.
"The secret with Tshabalala and the rest of the team is fitness. Look at Teko Modise - he didn't play as well as he can tactically in midfield, but made up by helping in defence, which is something he has never done before.
"Overall this was a great team effort and we look forward to Wednesday'a game against Uruguay."
Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena said the drawn encounter had boosted the confidence in the camp.
"It was not easy against Mexico, who defend well and attack with eight players," Mokoena said, "but we survived a tense first half and finished stronger at the end of the game."
