Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has explained why Percy Tau was not quite able to fulfil his role in the practice match against Ghana on Saturday.
The two sides played to a goalless draw in Dubai, a match they were both using to prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Baxter says he started Tau in a different role, but the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker was forced to push back to help the side defend, which is not what the coach wanted.
"I'm always impressed with Percy because his attitude is spot on. We asked him to play a slightly different role today and our midfield players and defenders did not defend the way we wanted them to, which meant Percy got dragged back. So in the second half we defended better further up the field and therefore people like Themba Zwane and [Lebohang] Maboe were dangerous further up the field. That's what we wanted from him."
Bafana left Dubai for Egypt and will take on Angola in their final preparation match on Wednesday, before their opening match against Ivory Voast next Monday.