The former SuperSport United defender, currently on loan from Tottenham at Greek side PAOK, was unhappy at what he felt was naivety on behalf of the Bafana defence.

The Poles managed to score the only goal of the game in Warsaw eight minutes from full-time.

South Africa had their chances to score, but it was Poland who dominated the match and missed a number of opportunities of their own.

Nevertheless, Khumalo felt his side should have gotten something out of the game, having come so close to doing so.

"It is a hard one to swallow, conceding so late and we should know better," he told the media in his post-match summation.

"The guy has run down the line with three of our players and no challenge has gone in. He has crossed and they have scored. We can't allow such things."

Khumalo believes there were positives to take from the game, including the introduction of two new players into the side.

Former Portugal junior international Ricardo Nunes and Moroka Swallows' Luvhengo Mungomeni made their debuts in the full-back positions.

"This is a game where the coach is giving new players chances, we haven't had a lot of time to work on things," explained Khumalo.

"But we have come here and fought, and taken the game to them. These are the positives that we will take from this game.

"With the new coach coming in, he wants to play a certain way and with the new players that he has brought in it is a different mix altogether.

"We just need time together and we should get that before the Afcon."