Sport

Bafana impress in Poland warmup

Brad Morgan

8 June 2009

Bafana Bafana will go into the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup on the back of a win over European opposition after Joel Santana's charges scored a deserved 1-0 win over Poland at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg on Saturday.

The coach will be encouraged by the fact that the victory came without the influential Teko Modise in midfield; the Orlando Pirates star missed the game due to injury, as did Tsepo Masilela of Maccabi Haifa.

The winning goal was scored early, in the sixth minute, by Masilela's club team-mate Thembinkosi "Terror" Fanteni. Interestingly, it took a phone call by Masilela's agent, Mike Makaab of Prosport International, to alert the Bafana Bafana brains trust about the striker's strong form for Maccabi Haifa, who won the Israeli League title.

Steven Pienaar, an exceptional performer for Everton in the English Premier League this past season, set the scoring move up by threading a through ball to Bernard Parker. The striker gained half-a-metre on his defender, forcing goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska to rush out to meet him.

Parker slid and squared the ball to Fanteni, leaving the striker with an empty net, and he didn't spurn the easy opportunity to put South Africa in front.

With Pienaar pulling the strings in midfield, Bafana controlled possession well and dictated play.

Parker and captain Aaron Mokoena got forward and managed to get in shots on goal, but the Polish defence stood firm.

With just over 20 minutes played, Poland finally managed a shot at goal. South African goalie Itumeleng Khune fumbled the save, but pounced on the ball to prevent a follow-up strike.

Parker was fouled on the edge of the Polish area and the defender used a hand to gain control of the ball and clear it. The referee was only a matter of metres away from the incident, but inexplicably waved play on in a very curious decision.

The striker blasted away just before the break, but his shot from distance was wide of the mark.

Kagisho Dikgacoi was off target shortly after the restart. Poland responded by creating their best opportunity early in the second half when Brazilian-born Roger Guerreiro, after a good turn, forced a diving save out of Khune.

Fanteni also demonstrated his ability to make sharp turns, before playing in Parker for a shot. The Red Star Belgrade marksman's chip went just wide under pressure from goalkeeper Zaluska.

Having made his case for a starting place against Iraq in the opening match of the Fifa Confederations Cup, which starts on Sunday, Fanteni was replaced by Katlego Mashego.

South Africa continued to press, but Benson Mhlongo was unable to keep an accurate cross from Siboniso Gaxa down. His effort flew over the crossbar.

There was some concern in the Bafana camp when Pienaar was forced from the field after 72 minutes. He limped off after twisting an ankle.

Defender Gaxa, who was impressively active down the flank, forced Zaluska to save from a cross-cum-shot, but South Africa couldn't add to their early goal, despite controlling the contest.

Apart from the victory, there was further good news for South African coach Joel Santana on Sunday. Pienaar reported for training, as did Modise and Masilela. Despite a discoloured ankle, Pienaar was confident that he would be ready for the Confederations Cup opener on 14 June.