Baxter left frustrated after Cosafa Cup exit

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Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter says he feels frustrated after his side failed to advance to the semi-final of the Cosafa Cup.

The South African national team were eliminated in the quarter-final after a 4-3 defeat on penalties at the hands of minnows Madagascar at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

Baxter insists his side’s downfall was their inability to remain composed and convert the chances they created in the final third.

‘You can dominate games, but if you don’t score from chances [you won’t win],’ Baxter told the media.

‘I mean, we prepared to win the game and you create chances and you miss the chances, then it goes to penalties and you miss your penalties, that’s got nothing to do with preparation.

‘I cannot get in the head of a player that is one-on-one with the goalkeeper and put the ball in the back of the net.

‘I don’t know how many times we’ve said that in South African football, but that’s unfortunately where it’s not about the young players – inexperience on the field and it’s not about getting the ball from our goal to their goals. It’s about actually finishing the job and finishing the job goes right up in the penalty shootout. So, that’s where we are disappointed, I’m sure.’

Bafana Bafana will now take on Namibia in the Cosafa Cup Plate scheduled for Tuesday at 5pm.