BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has found the right balance between attack and defence, says midfielder May Mahlangu, a pivotal cog in the offensive wheel for the national team.
Playmaker Mahlangu's running at defences and keen eye for a pass in a midfield trio alongside Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane will be crucial in Bafana's make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
SA's scoring difficulties appear to have been largely resolved under Igesund. In their past six games they notched 12 goals, while conceding just three.
A defensive midfield pairing of Furman and Letsholonyane has improved stability. And Letsholonyane and Mahlangu's creativity behind nippy forwards such as Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie, in a direct framework, has increased the number of chances produced.
"The coach has found the right balance in the middle and for us to combine with the strikers," said Mahlangu yesterday.
"The movement is getting better. We have also played so many games without conceding. I think the system is working. We should build on that and make it better. And give credit to the players. Defensively, we've had injuries and we've shown we have players capable of standing up."
Bafana, on eight points, need a win against Ethiopia (10) to top Group A with one match left to play.
Mahlangu said the centre-back pairing of Mulomuwandau Mathoho and Thabo Nthethe need to be alert to Ethiopia switching from their impressive ground football they displayed at the Africa Cup of Nations finals early this year, to a long-ball strategy.
The pair had a shaky start in Saturday's 3-0 win over Central African Republic, but stabilised as the game went on.
"We have analysed the video of Ethiopia against Botswana (a 2-1 win on Saturday)," Mahlangu said. "They are a team that tries to play from the back, through the midfield. We have our weak points and we've seen their strengths. So we might work on limiting their strengths. It's going to be a hell of a game."
Bafana have been watched by a few hundred Cameroonians at their training sessions this week. People have been excited by the South Africans' organisation and the quick football of players like Siphiwe Tshabalala, Furman and Parker.
Bafana more in tune - May
BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has found the right balance between attack and defence, says midfielder May Mahlangu, a pivotal cog in the offensive wheel for the national team.
Playmaker Mahlangu's running at defences and keen eye for a pass in a midfield trio alongside Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane will be crucial in Bafana's make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
SA's scoring difficulties appear to have been largely resolved under Igesund. In their past six games they notched 12 goals, while conceding just three.
A defensive midfield pairing of Furman and Letsholonyane has improved stability. And Letsholonyane and Mahlangu's creativity behind nippy forwards such as Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie, in a direct framework, has increased the number of chances produced.
"The coach has found the right balance in the middle and for us to combine with the strikers," said Mahlangu yesterday.
"The movement is getting better. We have also played so many games without conceding. I think the system is working. We should build on that and make it better. And give credit to the players. Defensively, we've had injuries and we've shown we have players capable of standing up."
Bafana, on eight points, need a win against Ethiopia (10) to top Group A with one match left to play.
Mahlangu said the centre-back pairing of Mulomuwandau Mathoho and Thabo Nthethe need to be alert to Ethiopia switching from their impressive ground football they displayed at the Africa Cup of Nations finals early this year, to a long-ball strategy.
The pair had a shaky start in Saturday's 3-0 win over Central African Republic, but stabilised as the game went on.
"We have analysed the video of Ethiopia against Botswana (a 2-1 win on Saturday)," Mahlangu said. "They are a team that tries to play from the back, through the midfield. We have our weak points and we've seen their strengths. So we might work on limiting their strengths. It's going to be a hell of a game."
Bafana have been watched by a few hundred Cameroonians at their training sessions this week. People have been excited by the South Africans' organisation and the quick football of players like Siphiwe Tshabalala, Furman and Parker.
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