Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw was delighted with their 2-1 win over Bafana Bafana as his side ensured that that they would top Group A in 2014 World Cup qualifying.
A second-half own goal from Bernard Parker handed the hosts the spoils and Bishaw believes that their progress to the next round will be a turning point for Ethiopian football.
"The match was very tough as you saw. When we play at our home ground - look at the crowd, look at the pressure, look at the feeling. It was hard for us to play very easily," he said.
"But I appreciate the South Africans, they have tried. It was a free goal that they gave us.
"There are many talented players here in Ethiopia. The only thing is we don't work hard with the young players.
"So this will be a turning point for Ethiopian football to be very strong and to work in the youth side so that we develop the talented players."
Looking to their final game of this round against Central African Republic, which is now a dead rubber game, he said that his regular team would get to enjoy a break.
"We discussed that we have to finish the game here so that we go to Central African Republic for a visit. I will now use the second string players in that match, but the whole team will go there for a picnic."
