South Africa lost 3-1 to the hosts at the Leopold Sedar Stadium in Dakar on Saturday evening, largely due to poor defending and lacklustre finishing.
Da Gama has conceded that certain players did not step up on the day, which ultimately cost the team the match, but refuses to point fingers at individuals.
The former Platinum Stars coach also went on to rue the missed opportunties in front of goal, and says the conceded penalty threw them off their game, while Denwin Farmer's injury did not do them any good at all.
Da Gama is positive that the team can overcome their opening defeat, which now sees them bottom of Group A, and calls on the players to rectify their mistakes ahead of their next clash against Zambia.
Zambia fell to a 2-1 defeat to Tunisia in their group opener on Saturday evening, and face Da Gama's side on Tuesday at the same venue.
The Bafana Bafana assistant coach draws courgae from the fact that their fate is still in their own hands, as Tunisia and Senegal do battle for top spot in their next clash.