Midfielder Teboho Mokoena has opened up on Bafana Bafana's 2-0 defeat to Mali in their opening match at the AFCON as Hugo Broos' men seek redemption against Namibia.
South Africa's AFCON title ambitions suffered a heavy dent when they were handed a 2-0 beating by Mali thanks to second half goals from Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoki on Tuesday night.
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Speaking from Ivory Coast about the match, Mokoena admitted that the defeat still lingered in his mind.
"In the first half, tactically, I think we were good," the midfielder said, via the SAFA media department.
"We created a few chances but I think in the second half, they (Mali) were more physical because I think they saw that physically they could be able to beat us, because as you know, as South Africans, physically, we are not really strong.
"But ja, it's a tough one to swallow. I watched the game and I still have the same feeling, that we could have done better."
Next for South Africa is a crucial encounter against Namibia, where a loss could spell the end of Bafana's AFCON journey, depending on Saturday's results between Tunisia and Mali.
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A win for Namibia on Sunday will take them to six points on the standing in Group E while a win for Bafana hands them their first three points of the tournament and a chance to progress to the knockout stages.
"We have another opportunity to do better in the second game," added Mokoena.
"I think we just have to be clinical, we get one chance and we have to score and we close the game. That's all we need."
Bafana's match against Namibia is scheduled to kick-off at 22:00.(SA time).
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