Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reacted to his side’s 1-0 win over Ghana on Monday evening, singling one player out for special praise.
The 69-year-old collected his first victory in a qualification game since taking over the reigns of the national team.
Broos praised his players for their performance, saying keeping a clean sheet was very important.
“I’m very proud and happy today with what I saw on the pitch of my team,” he said after the match.
“We have made big progress in one week. When I saw my team play in Zimbabwe there was no confidence, no determination, no belief in themselves, but I saw a team with lots of confidence today.
“We played a very good game. There was determination. There was the will to winning, there was discipline and that is what I like.
“We have four points from six now. A few days ago I said if we get four from six I’d be happy but I thought that we could win in Zimbabwe and play a draw against Ghana. But it’s the opposite now and I’m not unhappy about that.
“We will see, if we can go on like this and make progress like we did this week, we will see where are at the end of the race.”
Broos has once again underlined his intention to give more young players a chance after three U21 stars started the game – praising Ethon Brooks in particular.
“One day you have to give them (young players) a chance. If you don’t give a young a chance, how will he get experience? I will do not here in South Africa, it’s up to them to take the chances.
“Take the example today of Ethan Brooks, he played a very, very good game tonight. So he took his chance. And over the next few months, more young players will get a chance. As we go along, I will give more young players a chance.
“If that succeeds, we can be successful for the coming years and it is something what I’d like to do here in South Africa. Up until now, we can be very happy with the young boys.”
Bafana moved to the top of Group G after two games, with Zimbabwe still taking on Ethiopia on Tuesday.
