IT'S happening again. The problem Bafana Bafana had in Equatorial Guinea has now shifted to the national under-17 team in Niger at the junior championships.
Two goals up against defending champions Ivory Coast on Monday, Amajimbos let the lead slip to walk away with just a point in their opening Group B clash in Niamey. It would have been the perfect start, but now Molefi Ntseki's boys, who face Mali tomorrow, have it all to do to qualify for the semifinals in the eight-team competition.
Just recently, Bafana Bafana had to pack their bags early at the Africa Cup of Nations after failing to hold on to or extend the leads they had against Algeria, Senegal and Ghana.
Bafana coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba says there is a lack of mental strength, but feels the Amajimbos players will learn from their experience.
"We score early, but the biggest problem for us comes late in the match, especially when the opposition scores a goal. That goes along with the question of mental strength and resilience. You've got to work on players to be ready for such things. I mean, to lead a game and then come back and lose... but it happens," Mashaba said.
Meanwhile, Mashaba said he was not disappointed that the proposed friendly international against Argentina has been cancelled. Bafana were to play the 2014 World Cup finalists next month.
The SA Football Association announced yesterday that they were still searching for opponents, contradicting Mashaba's earlier proclamation that a clash with Australia had been secured.
"We want to place it officially on record that we are not playing Australia [on March 28]. The Socceroos have another engagement in Europe around that time," Safa said.
Amajimbos 'lacked mental fortitude'
IT'S happening again. The problem Bafana Bafana had in Equatorial Guinea has now shifted to the national under-17 team in Niger at the junior championships.
Two goals up against defending champions Ivory Coast on Monday, Amajimbos let the lead slip to walk away with just a point in their opening Group B clash in Niamey. It would have been the perfect start, but now Molefi Ntseki's boys, who face Mali tomorrow, have it all to do to qualify for the semifinals in the eight-team competition.
Just recently, Bafana Bafana had to pack their bags early at the Africa Cup of Nations after failing to hold on to or extend the leads they had against Algeria, Senegal and Ghana.
Bafana coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba says there is a lack of mental strength, but feels the Amajimbos players will learn from their experience.
"We score early, but the biggest problem for us comes late in the match, especially when the opposition scores a goal. That goes along with the question of mental strength and resilience. You've got to work on players to be ready for such things. I mean, to lead a game and then come back and lose... but it happens," Mashaba said.
Meanwhile, Mashaba said he was not disappointed that the proposed friendly international against Argentina has been cancelled. Bafana were to play the 2014 World Cup finalists next month.
The SA Football Association announced yesterday that they were still searching for opponents, contradicting Mashaba's earlier proclamation that a clash with Australia had been secured.
"We want to place it officially on record that we are not playing Australia [on March 28]. The Socceroos have another engagement in Europe around that time," Safa said.
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