Former Bafana Bafana striker Mark Williams says Katlego Mphela and company must have the confidence to shoot on sight at this year's Africa Cup of Nations finals.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
The 46-year-old, who netted both the goals as South Africa defeated Tunisia in the 1996 AFCON final to secure a famous 2-0 victory, says the country's strikers need to take responsibility when in a position to score.
Bafana come into the 2013 edition of the continental championships on the back of a 1-0 loss to Norway that was followed up by a 0-0 draw with Algeria.
Neither opposition was overly troubled by Bafana's attackers, despite Gordon Igesund's charges enjoying the lions share of the possession in both matches.
And ahead of Bafana's opening AFCON tie, against Cape Verde on Saturday, the former prolific goalscorer believes something has to change.
He told Football411.com: "When you get the ball you must go for goal, there is no other option.
"Too many times the striker will give away the ball or go wide, they must take responsibility.
"If they miss it's OK, if you miss another one let it go, but after that shoot again, you're going to hit the target and you going to beat the keeper. Not shooting does not help, you must shoot, test the keeper," said the 2001 Chinese League One top scorer.
"But too often I see strikers dropping their heads and letting the crowd get to them. I was not one to let pressure get to me, in fact I thrive on it. If I miss once or four times, trust me, I will score because I'm determined. I had that confidence."
Williams watched Bafana work out before their clash with Norway and believes that confidence comes from scoring, which they did not do at training.
"I saw their performance at training and I thought to myself these boys are not going to score (against Norway).
"The same things you do at training are the same things you will do in a game. Yes, you can keep possession and pass the ball around, but if you are not moving forward and shooting at the target then that to me is a problem," said the former Jomo Cosmos and Mamelodi Sundowns forward.
"And that is why I say Mphela must shoot when he has the chance, whether at training or in a game just have a go."
The 'Nation Builder' as he is known for his two AFCON final goals, could not stop himself from making comparisons to the partnership he had with former Cosmos and Bari FC striker Phil Masinga.
"When Masinga headed that ball I knew where I had to be. We had a great understanding, I knew what he wanted to do and he knew my movements too. I don't see that with our strikers," he added.
"It's very important that you communicate and have that understanding, and that comes with time and practice, lots of practice.
"I am 100% behind the team and still consider myself a Bafana player. When they win I celebrate, when they lose I feel their pain. I know what it's like to be on that field, to wear that jersey and I still feel the same way even though I watch from the stands or on TV."
Another exclusive by Shahied Joseph
To comment on this story email us at football@teamtalkmedia.co.za
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story