Carlos Alberto Parreira has called Bafana Bafana the “Lion Kings” after they came back to earn a credible 1-1 draw with Paraguay in Asuncion on Wednesday.South Africa were awful in the opening half hour or so, and deservedly went behind to a Marcelo Estigarribia header.
Bafana, however, were much improved after the break, as both coaches rang the changes, and Siphiwe Tshabalala thrashed home a wonderful left-footed drive to level the scores.“Paraguay were much better in the first half, we didn’t control the game as we would like,” said Parreira afterwards.
“In the second half we created more opportunities than them - we made good counter attacks and I believe the result is fair for what Paraguay have done in the first half, and for what we have done in the second half.”Lion Kings“We are the Lion Kings, we never give up. We were the better team in the second half and could have won.” Bafana captain Teko Modise, meanwhile, concurred with Parreira.
“Paraguay were the better team in the first half, and made things difficult for us,” said Modise.“They started pressurising us and we couldn’t play. In the second half we became better and started having confidence. If we can show character like this away from home, imagine what we can do at home,” added the midfielder, in a clear reference to the 2010 World Cup.
Bafana will return to Sao Paulo on Thursday, and will play Brazilian club side Santos on Saturday in the final game of their month-long tour of South America. Bafana have also now decided to leave Brazil on Sunday, returning to Johannesburg on Monday, two days earlier than expected.On April 9, Parreira will then announce a squad for his next training camp in Germany, from April 13-28.
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