I still fancy our chances – Coach Cole
Despite forced to a goalless draw against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Freetown last Sunday, Leone Stars coach, Christian Cole says he still fancies his team’s chances of reaching the finals of the 2012 African Cup of Nations. (Photo: Leone Stars team)
Christian Cole told cafonline in an exclusive interview in Freetown that even though he has yet to register a win in two matches, his side has what it takes to upset the group. “We played a good match today, but our chance of winning was frustrated by the highly defensive system mounted by our opponents. The South Africans played a compact defense which makes my boys not to break through. Their goalkeeper,. Khume IItumeleng was brilliant and had a good game today,” he said.
The Leone Stars manager heaped praise to the 1996 African Cup Nations holders for their tactical discipline in the match”. They are a very good side; he said, but I think this was a match had they not shown great experience, it could have been very difficult for them”, he said
The 62 year old tactician whose charges impressed the crowded national stadium took absolute control of the match from the blast of the Mauritanian referee’s whistle. Mighty Blackpool’s midfielder David Simbo who was converted to a defensive role against the South Africans could have opened the scores in the 5th minute after his close header was saved by goalie Khume. The visitors responded almost immediately, when Khume opposite number, Christian Caulker in the Leone Stars goal had to make a diving save from Bafana Bafana striker, Bernard Parker in the 7th minute.
But it was the Leone Stars AC Omonia striker, Mustapha Bangura who got the best of the chances in the first half when he failed to beat the brilliant Kaizer chiefs goalkeeper Khume, after his defence was caught panicking in the 24th minute of the match.
Leone Stars continue to establish their dominance after the recess and their effort could have paid off in the 52nd minute, after Alfred Sankoh 20- yards shot was saved by goalie Khume, who was later voted as man of the match.
Despite several substitutions, the visitor’s never had an opportunity to make a comeback into the match as they stuck to their defensive game plan throughout; much to the delight of Coach Pitso Mosimane. “I am happy with the tactical discipline and mental strength we demonstrated in this match. It is not easy to play under such a huge home crowd who came to cheer their team, but thank God we were able to survive it. We came here to gain the maximum points, but the match did not allow us. My boys fought very hard to secure this result unlike the last time we came here and lost. We only created two chances in the match but what saved us is our goalkeeper” he told cafonline shortly after the match.
Credited Cafoline
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