Adnan Beganovic hails Ira Tape heroics in Kaizer Chiefs stalemate

Chiefs came out firing at Mbombela Stadium, intent on closing out the year with a Betway Premiership win but found the Ivorian shot stopper in unforgiving form. 

The match ended level, and Beganovic hailed Tape’s Man of the Match performance in Nelspruit as the key reason Galaxy held firm. 

"He's a good keeper, he deserves to get the trophy for man of the match because he played well, first of all, and he saved us in crucial time, a couple of times," said Beganovic.

"And you know, in big games if you want to take some points, you need to have a keeper to be on the top level, and we have Tape on the top level so I'm so happy.

It's the second game he's helped us keep a clean sheet, and it also means our keeper coach has worked with our keepers and if you look at just that part, I can be happy.

"Sometimes, even if we prepare a bit different for a different game, sometimes the opponent has something to say in the game – yes, it was a quality game against a quality Kaizer Chiefs, who played well, and sometimes you need to defend well if you want to take something.

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"I think we put a little bit more attention on defending our goal and trying to have a good period when we win the ball, but I'm just so happy that in crucial times Tape saved a couple opportunities and we were able to take one point."

Beganovic was impressed with how his charges weathered the storm overall, against a formidable opponent.  

"It was a beautiful game, it was tough obviously because Chiefs are playing well this season, playing different than last season, and we needed to adapt ourselves tactically for this game," he added.

"But it's also a good challenge for us, Chiefs have more quality this season with a balanced structure, and I'm surprised by how they are playing this season.

"And I'm so happy that South Africa have games like these, and I think everybody can be proud – fans in the stadium or people sitting in front of the TV, they can be happy after the game by how we played a draw.

"But I think both teams played beautifully and had opportunities to score, and both teams wanted to win the game, but in the last three years since I've been in South Africa, I mostly play a draw or we win against Kaizer Chiefs, so I'm so happy."