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Morris enjoyed first goal
03/06/2007 17:23 - (SA)
Durban - Panathinaikos defender Nasief Morris scored the first goal - and his maiden international goal - in Bafana Bafana's 4-0 thrashing of Chad in an African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Morris surprised everyone at the packed stadium when he stepped up to take the penalty that Sibusiso Zuma won for South Africa in the 12th minute. Zuma was put through on goal by the outstanding Elrio Van Heerden but was brought down by Bouba Mamadou in the box. T
he Cape Town-born defender fired the ball low and hard past Chad goalkeeper Mamadou and the crowd celebrated wildly as his teammates surrounded him, congratulating him on breaking his international "duck".
"I've practiced this at training and I was chosen to take it before the game started," he said, "Zuma and Delron (Buckley) are usually on top of the list (for penalties) and Delron said I could take it if we get one and when this chance came I was quite eager to get my first goal."
Morris has five goals to his name at club level, one from a set-piece, and admitted that he was a bit nervous stepping up to the penalty spot.
"I could feel the pressure but I was prepared, I chose my spot and hit it well and although the keeper went the right way it had too much pace for him," said the 22-time capped player who plans to frame the jersey he played in.
Rare for him to get these opportunities
Ten minutes later Zuma scored, and another 10 minutes after that the Durban player struck again as Bafana went in to the break 3-0 up. Morris had another chance to score in the second half, but as a defender it's rare for him to get these opportunities he said.
"The ball came so fast to me and I just hit it, I'm not used to getting goal scoring chances," he laughed before adding, "but I'll have to start practising to up my tally.
The game was a one-sided affair and Morris believes the record-breaking victory paved the way for their road to the African Cup tournament in Ghana.
"We can only improve on what we did against Chad. I enjoyed the game and I think we all did well. The next step is to beat Congo and I think we'll be in Ghana next year, no doubt," Morris said confidently. "Cyril (Nzama) did really well and our relationship is getting better as we've played together a few times now and this is what we need to become consistent as a team."
The Chad players were only allowed one shot at goal and this came in the final minute of the game when Rowen Fernandez finally made a save.
"Their players were quite physical but did not trouble us a lot, I mean they only had one scoring chance and this was close to fulltime," he said before acknowledging Chad's best player, Maruis Mbaiam.
"Their number 10 who played on the right is a very good player. He was clever and quick and without a doubt one of their best players, but our experience counted in our favour as they hardly got good scoring chances.
- SAPA
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