South Africa . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Oupa Manyisa 47
Senegal . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Kama Mbodji 61
Mongomo - Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations dream is hanging by a thread after they blew a golden chance to rip Group C wide open.
Ghana gave Bafana the perfect platform to throw the cat among the pigeons when they shocked Algeria in the early match yesterday. But Bafana just couldn’t take advantage of this lifeline and failed to beat a Senegal team that showed a real weakness against their pace.
Bafana now have to beat Ghana by a comfortable margin on Tuesday (8pm) and hope Senegal beat Algeria handsomely in the other Group C match at the same time.
Bafana took the lead last night via Oupa Manyisa in the 47th minute, but big Senegal defender Kama Mbodji equalised from a free-kick.
It was clear from the first minute that Senegal were going to try to out-muscle and intimidate Bafana’s players. And who better to start with than South Africa’s tallest player Eric Mathoho, who was taken out by striker Moussa Sow.
Referee Ali Lemghaifry, though, waved play on before the ball was kicked out of play.
The Kaizer Chiefs man then came off for treatment and returned to the field with a big bandage on his head.
However, his centre-back partner Thulani Hlatshwayo wasn’t as fortunate as he left the field a few minutes after a collision with one of Senegal’s big bruisers. It seemed like he had concussion.
A lot was made of the selection of goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane, who replaced Darren Keet in the starting XI as one of the two changes from the Algeria defeat.
The Black Aces man looked a bit nervous at the start but quickly settled down after coming out to punch out a few set-piece deliveries. However, it was his quick distribution that caught the eye and it became clear why was picked.
Bafana had the first chance of the match in the 11th minute when some neat interplay set up Sibusiso Vilakazi on the edge of the area. But his shot was palmed over the bar by Senegal keeper and captain Bouna Coundoul.
Phala had another attempt blocked from about the same position in a move again started after good distribution by the Bafana goalkeeper.
Senegal struggled to break down Bafana in the first half as the South Africans kept their shape nicely.
However, the referee kept on allowing the Senegalese to physically man-handle the South Africans. Mabokgwane was taken out in the 23rd minute he he came for a corner.
Senegal decided to play even more direct towards the end of the first half, but it was their set-pieces that caused Bafana all sorts of strife.
Bafana’s defending at the back post left a lot to be desired and they were almost punished when they left the dangerous Mame Biram Diouf alone at the far post, but the Stoke City man managed to head wide.
Bafana then caught the Senegal players napping with a casual build-up. The ball made its way to Phala on the right and the SuperSport United man beat his man before squaring an inviting cross.
The ball evaded everyone in the box and Manyisa couldn’t believe his luck at the far post. The Orlando Pirates player expertly slid the ball home to give Bafana the lead.
Bafana pressed Senegal high up the pitch to stop them from floating the ball into their penalty area. But they paid the price from going to sleep from a floated free-kick in the area.
How Bafana did not pick up Senegal defender Kama Mbodji, the biggest player in their team, is astonishing. The Genk defender headed home powerfully at the back post without a soul in a yellow jersey around him
But Bafana will have to do better against Ghana if they want to stay in the competition.
- Saturday Star