Mphela haunted by Mexico miss
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Eduan Roos
Johannesburg – Katlego Mphela’s missed chance in front of goal against Mexico is still haunting him.
The Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana striker admitted that he still has sleepless nights about his effort that hit the post in the dying stages of the Soccer World Cup opener at Soccer City last Friday. South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1.
“It was a horrible feeling to see the ball hit the post and bounce away (in the wrong direction),” said Mphela.
“I do think, however, that I was a little unlucky as their goalkeeper (Oscar Perez) tried to get to the ball at the last moment and I only hit it with the bottom of my boot. Everyone knows that the new ball has a will of its own.”
Mphela is the latest player to complain about the Jabulani ball, which was designed especially for this year’s tournament. Goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas and Julio Cesar have also voiced their concerns.
“I have replayed that moment a hundred times in my mind, but it has simply motivated me to make better use of my next opportunity,” said Mphela.
Mphela, who was the only striker in coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s starting line-up, hopes that next opportunity happens on Wednesday in Bafana Bafana’s second match against Uruguay at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
“I’m happy with my form of late and am high on confidence. The entire team is now more relaxed after the first game and I think there should be more opportunities,” he said.
Bafana defender Siboniso Gaxa revealed that the South Africans would have a different approach against the South Americans.
“We will look to catch Uruguay unawares by attacking more along the flanks rather than carrying the ball back to midfield,” he said.
“It means that our wide defenders (Gaxa, Lucas Thwala and Tsepo Masilela) will play forward more and try to beat their defence with crosses.”
Lance Davids, who is still waiting to make his first appearance in the tournament, believes Bafana will be better prepared at Loftus Versfeld.
“The ice has been broken after we were quite nervous against Mexico. I don’t think it will take that long for us to get going again.”
The midfielder, who is behind Kagisho Dikgacoi, Thanduyise Khuboni and MacBeth Sibaya in the Bafana queue, said he did not mind waiting his turn.
“The team consists of more than just 11 players. There are 23 of us (in the squad) and we all have a major contribution to make and have to support each another unconditionally.”
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