South Africa’s national team Bafana Bafana was brought back to earth by a 1-1 stalemate against a Mali side who denied them a win.

Despite sharing the spoils with Mali the host nation is still in pole position in group D through the goal difference rule.

Bafana midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala believes that the national team still has a good chance of progressing into the quarter finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“The game against Mali was a difficult one for us but we managed to do our best. Overall we created more chances than the opposition but unfortunately could not score more goals.

“The draw does not really mean we are out of the competition or disadvantaged in any way. We are still a team willing to fight for progression. We have players more than capable of winning the next match against Nigeria.

“It doesn’t matter if the coach changes the line-up or not. I believe which ever players that he will pick will do the job that awaits us. The important thing is for us to qualify and then see what happens from there.”