Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Darren Keet insists he was just trying to protect himself in the penalty incident against Libya, adding that his opponent ‘made a meal’ out of the contact.

The Bidvest Wits shot-stopper was given the nod over Ronwen Williams to replace the injured ItItumeleng Khune for the vital clash against The Mediterranean Knights.

Keet put in a top-class performance as he produced a number of top-class saves to deny the opposition and keep Bafana in control of the game.

His big performance, however, was almost undone when his leading leg caught Libya striker Mohamed Saltou while Keet was trying to gather a cross.

The Moroccan referee adjudged the contact to be sufficient and awarded the penalty, which was duly converted.

Bafana, though, hit back almost instantly to regain their lead through Percy Tau before going on to see out the game and secure their qualification.

‘It was very difficult, in tough conditions – the pitch wasn’t the best, but we had a job to do and we went out and did it,’ Keet told SAFA.

‘So, overall it was a good performance from the team and we’re happy and we’re proud. We’re excited to be a part of this team and carry the nation forward again.

‘I think we’re very happy and delighted to be where we as a team are at the moment.’

‘I’ve gone for the ball, I saw it coming in and I saw the striker coming towards me, so I mean, you’re always taught to protect yourself [as a goalkeeper],’ he explained the penalty incident.

‘Because obviously when you’re going up with your arms in the air, you have nothing to protect yourself with, so you put your knee up, which is what I did.

‘And he [Saltou] just caught my foot and made a bit of a meal out of it, and the referee gave a penalty. It was a little bit unfortunate, but it’s part of the game and we did well to come back into the game again.’