Bafana Bafana’s must-win situation has turned into a long shot hope scenario after the squad limped into Durban from Cameroon for a do-or-die 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Indomitable Lions at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow.
After allowing Cameroon to fight back twice for a 2-2 draw in Limbe on Saturday, South Africa’s chances of winning the group to earn automatic qualification for Gabon 2017 receded dramatically.
In addition to winning their remaining three games, coach Ephraim Mashaba’s team must hope for group leaders Cameroon and second-placed Mauritania to drop points. The 13 group winners and the two best second-placed finishers across all the groups will join hosts Gambia in the next edition of the continent’s premier tournament.
Back-to-back victories would have allowed South Africa to overtake Cameroon. Instead they have to make up a five-point deficit while managing some aches and pains that could lead to up to three forced changes tomorrow.
Defenders Anele Ngcongca and Thabo Matlaba, and midfielder Mpho Makola, are doubtful with a calf strain, a head injury and a troublesome hamstring respectively after the battle against the bigger Cameroonians, confirmed team doctor Thulani Ngwenya.
He added the squad was given the day off yesterday to recover from their trip, a two-hour bus ride followed by a seven-hour chartered flight from Douala to Durban.
Despite being “disturbed by the result”, Mashaba held on to the outside chance of winning their three remaining games, while banking on Cameroon losing one of their two remaining fixtures against Mauritania and Gambia later this year.
“It was a most unfortunate result, but there is still a lot to play for. Qualification is still a possibility. If we win the next three games it will give us 11 points, and they are still going to lose one or two games,” said a relaxed Mashaba from their beachfront hotel yesterday.
“If they get another draw they will be 80 percent through to qualifying. We are going to throw the game to them and see how they respond. Tuesday is a decider for the qualifications. If we win then we’ll be back on the road to Gabon,” added the coach.
The challenge for South Africa will be to consolidate after scoring. That was their undoing in Limbe. After inactive England-based striker Tokelo Rantie scored the opener to repay Mashaba for keeping faith in him, Cameroon levelled through Sebastien Siani in first half optional time. In the second half Nicolas Nkoulou’s header cancelled midfielder Hlompho Kekana’s wonder strike from his own half.
Kekana’s goal was the brightest moment of the game and should be up for several awards, said Mashaba.
“Everyone was talking about the goal Hlompho scored. It was no fluke, it was intended. It shows his match intelligence. He showed courage and it paid off. It’s one of the best goals I’ve seen in my life. If he doesn’t win an award then something will be wrong.”
Mashaba called on Durbanites to pack the stadium and be the 12th man for the team. He said the venue in Limbe was three-quarters full by midday, and almost half-full when Cameroon trained the day before the game.
The Star