Ex-skipper wants to see more players taking the initiative up front rather than waiting for the ball to arrive at their feet, pointing out that static attackers make for much easier defending
Former national soccer captain Neil Tovey says Bafana Bafana need to show more movement up front if they are to break down opposition defences.
South Africa dominated their friendly international game against Norway at the Cape Town Stadium, but failed to make use of their superiority and ended up losing the match 1-0.
Tovey, who captained South Africa to victory in the 1996 Cup of Nations, saw some promising signs in Bafana’s play, but also noticed some areas where improvement is needed.
“There were positive signs but there were also disturbing signs which I am, sure Gordon Igesund is very aware of.
“But we did create opportunities which is good. I just thought the decision making in the final third was very poor,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu player.
Tovey wants to see players taking the initiative up front rather than waiting for the ball to arrive at their feet.
He pointed out that static attackers make for much easier defending.
“We didn’t have enough players making enough effort to get in to the near post area where a lot of balls were crossed by Thuso Phala but were cleared by their defenders.
“You have to get in front of defenders and move them around.”
Tuesday night’s line-up saw Katlego Mphela starting up front as a lone striker, with Lerato Chabangu employed as a support striker from midfield.
But both players often found themselves too far from goal to cause any problems to the opposition defence.
Tovey feels that more numbers are needed in the final third of the field.
“You can’t have one striker in the box, you have to have players attacking that near post and that will make the decision for the defenders a bit more awkward.
“I think we have got to start playing with two strikers.
“You need someone around Killer (Mphela) to play off him — to pick up the pieces off him.
“Ultimately we need more support because when Katlego is dropping deeper he is not going to score goals.”
South Africa play Algeria in a friendly game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, with their first match of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for January 19 against Cape Verde at Soccer City.
Neil Tovey's assessment of Bafana
Ex-skipper wants to see more players taking the initiative up front rather than waiting for the ball to arrive at their feet, pointing out that static attackers make for much easier defending
Former national soccer captain Neil Tovey says Bafana Bafana need to show more movement up front if they are to break down opposition defences.
South Africa dominated their friendly international game against Norway at the Cape Town Stadium, but failed to make use of their superiority and ended up losing the match 1-0.
Tovey, who captained South Africa to victory in the 1996 Cup of Nations, saw some promising signs in Bafana’s play, but also noticed some areas where improvement is needed.
“There were positive signs but there were also disturbing signs which I am, sure Gordon Igesund is very aware of.
“But we did create opportunities which is good. I just thought the decision making in the final third was very poor,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu player.
Tovey wants to see players taking the initiative up front rather than waiting for the ball to arrive at their feet.
He pointed out that static attackers make for much easier defending.
“We didn’t have enough players making enough effort to get in to the near post area where a lot of balls were crossed by Thuso Phala but were cleared by their defenders.
“You have to get in front of defenders and move them around.”
Tuesday night’s line-up saw Katlego Mphela starting up front as a lone striker, with Lerato Chabangu employed as a support striker from midfield.
But both players often found themselves too far from goal to cause any problems to the opposition defence.
Tovey feels that more numbers are needed in the final third of the field.
“You can’t have one striker in the box, you have to have players attacking that near post and that will make the decision for the defenders a bit more awkward.
“I think we have got to start playing with two strikers.
“You need someone around Killer (Mphela) to play off him — to pick up the pieces off him.
“Ultimately we need more support because when Katlego is dropping deeper he is not going to score goals.”
South Africa play Algeria in a friendly game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, with their first match of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for January 19 against Cape Verde at Soccer City.
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