Thinasonke Mbuli relieved after draw with DRC in 1st leg WAFCON Qualifier

Thinasonke Mbuli relieved after draw with DRC in 1st leg WAFCON Qualifier

Banyana Banyana assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli has expressed relief, having managed to secure an away goal, in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the first leg of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kinshasa on Wednesday night.

South Africa are now motivated to seal the deal when they host DRC in the second leg at FNB Stadium next Tuesday.

Speaking at the post-match presser, Mbuli adds that they look to finish what they have started on home soil.

"What is most important is the result and the away goal. We will fly back home tonight, engage in recovery tomorrow, and then we have three more days to prepare for the sake of finishing this at home."

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Mbuli made three crucial changes in the second half; however, she is slightly disappointed that her players did not live up to expectations in terms of pressing the opponents to help wrap up the match with another away goal.

"I'm a bit disappointed with our second-half performance, because I think we invited the pressure and allowed them into our box too many times.

"They changed their pressing structure, and at times I felt that we couldn't effectively play our way through that press."

Mbuli concluded by saying she is glad that they managed to accomplish their goal of avoiding defeat in the first leg.