Chan Group A

South Africa: (1) 3 (Parker 30’ pen 82’ Kekana 58’)

Mozambique: (1) 1 (Diogo 11’)

Bafana Bafana won their opening CAF African Nations Championships Group A match against Mozambique on Saturday, 11th January 2014, at Cape Town Stadium.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker contributed with a brace in the 3 – 1 drubbing of the Mambas. ‘Hond’ as he is affectionately known in soccer circles beat Mozambique goalie, Soares, first from a penalty spot in the 30th minute and completed his job after Siphiwe Tshabalala put him through in the 82nd minute.

kaizerchiefs.com caught up with ‘Hond’ from the National Team hotel in Cape Town,

About Chan tournament;

“The tournament is important for South African football in many senses. We definitely have to take it serious. This is a platform for us to restore the pride of South African football after missing out on the 2014 Fifa World Cup. We want to win back the hearts and minds of the nation. The performance here will affect the Fifa rankings and as professionals good performances will boost our confidence. For some of the players that will be participating in CAF competitions this is a good experience,” said ‘Hond’.

‘Hond’ gave his impression about the game after he scored a brace that took his Bafana Bafana tally to 21 goals. ‘Hond’ is now two goals short of catching Katlego Mphela and ten short of record holder Benni McCarthy;

“It was a good game of football though it was a bit physical. Mozambique threw everything at us especially in the first half and in the dying minutes of the game. I am glad that I made a contribution by scoring the two goals. I hope the goals will add to my confidence in the coming games. I will continue to work hard and hope to score more goals in the coming games. I look at the record books and see the possibility of adding my name in the records. I hope to stay injury free to enable me to score more goals,” said ‘Hond’.

‘Hond’ was rewarded with the ‘Man of the Match’ after the game;

“I feel great. In fact this is unbelievable feeling. The experience is mind blowing. This is the type of recognition that will come handy when I tell my football story to my children. These are exciting times in my career and I hope to work hard and score more goals,” said ‘Hond’.

South Africa: Khune, Moon, Mkhwanazi, Nthethe, Mokeke, Chabangu (Mbatha 57’) Kekana, Vilakazi (Pattison 85’), Tshabalala, Parker, Mashego (Mbekile 74’)

Mozambique: Soares, Chico Mioche, D. Khan, Saddan ‘Kito’ Guambe, Alvarito Manhique (Manuelito 79’), Josemar, Monis Chimene, Almiro Lobo, Alario Mafumo (Mario Sinamuda 65’), Apsone ‘Sonito’ Manjate, Diogo Alberto (Maninho 92’)