Morena Ramoreboli on helping Tshegofatso Mabasa silence Bafana boo-boys

Just three days prior, the Swallows FC-bound forward had suffered harsh words from frustrated fans during the 2-1 win over Botswana – but they were singing his praises when he singlehandedly helped Bafana beat Eswatini.

Speaking after the result which sealed a place in the COSAFA Cup semifinals, Ramoreboli explained why his faith in Mabasa never wavered.

"We need to understand that one match does not make a player, it does not make you a bad player. Sometimes you need coaches who will believe in you as a player when you are down and give you confidence," Ramoreboli said.

"I think we have given our players the belief that they are very important and that is why they are here. For them to go in there fighting even when things are tough, it's a true reflection of what we do when no one is there to see. I'm happy that he came back and managed to score the important two goals."

Mabasa will be the first to admit his loan spell from Orlando Pirates at Sekhukhune United is one to forget – only two goals from 20 appearances.

But Ramoreboli focused on the positives.

"Here we have 23 players and in these 23 players, you need to understand the strength and the weaknesses of each and every one of them. When you play them, you need to remind them of their strengths and try as hard as you can not to remind them of their weaknesses," he added.

"I think Tshego can score goals at any given time and he might not give you what Letsoalo [Victor] will give you in terms of being quick into spaces and all that like Rayners [Iqraam]."