Supporters should not lose sight of Shakes Mashaba's original aim to focus on the future, according to Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen, who praised Bafana Bafana's performance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

That said, Premier Soccer League coaches seem split on Bafana's display after they exited in the first round from the nightmare group.

"I think people's perceptions change as time goes on," former Bafana right wing Larsen said.

"When Shakes took over we weren't expecting much from a young team. All of a sudden we did so well in the qualifiers and then expectations go through the roof.

"I don't think Bafana disgraced the country. They played some good football. It's a very inexperienced team."

Other PSL coaches had a less favourable position on Bafana and Mashaba's performance, but did not want to comment on the record.

One pointed to the "absurd" rotation of three goalkeepers - Darren Keet, Jackson Mabokgwane and Brilliant Khuzwayo - and Mashaba's failure to control games from the bench after SA took a 1-0 lead three times.

Some felt the situation with Thulani Serero - left out of the squad because he did not pitch for the late December training camp - could have been handled better.

Mashaba has been criticised for other selection decisions - he could not find a steady striking partnership and had too little cover for central defence on his bench when Rivaldo Coetzee and Thulani Hlatshwayo went off injured in the first two matches.

Larsen said it is difficult to judge selection decisions from outside the camp.

"It's difficult to say, when you're not closely involved. I can't comment on the reasons for the goalkeepers being changed. But whether they were changed or not, you can't blame all the goals conceded on mistakes by the keepers.

"I also felt a bit more consistency in team selection could have helped. But listen, it's a competition and you want to get results.

"If something didn't work in the first game and you think another player can do it in the second, you're going to change it."