Modise stars in Bafana victory
Brad Morgan
21 November 2007Just three days after going down 1-0 to the USA in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, Bafana Bafana turned the tables on another North American opponent, beating Canada 2-0 in Durban thanks to a brace from midfielder Teko Modise.
It was a different Bafana squad from the one that did duty against the Americans. Only three overseas-based players were included for the game at the Absa Stadium, compared to 12 for the match in Johannesburg.
The Mandela Challenge match featured the big name players, but the so-called 'B' squad did what their better known compatriots have struggled do: score and win.
Abysmal goal scoring form
In seven friendlies during the latter part of 2007, SA's goal scoring form has been abysmal; in the six games before the Canadian clash, Bafana had scored only one goal, against Botswana, ranked 101st in the Fifa world rankings.
Therefore, scoring twice against the Canadians - ranked 32 places above South Africa - to take victory must have pleased Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. Certainly, he sounded in good spirits after the match, which was in contrast to his mood in the lead-up to the Mandela Challenge game against the USA.
Then, he was unhappy that a full programme of Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches took place on the Wednesday preceding the game on Saturday. He suggested that the PSL regards its clubs as more important than the national team. The League responded by saying it had honoured Fifa's ruling that players need be released only 48 hours before friendlies.
Club versus country
There was again a club versus country clash while South Africa prepared for the match against Canada, and it involved the man who made the difference for Bafana Bafana, Teko Modise.
His club, Orlando Pirates, wanted Modise kept out of the international match because they face their arch-rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, in a highly-anticipated derby clash on Saturday, which will be broadcast throughout Africa and Europe.
Parreira, however, had Fifa on his side this time around. The Canadian contest, he pointed out, fell within a period that Fifa had designated for international fixtures. Therefore, Pirates would not be getting Modise back.
The match
South Africa started the Durban game strongly, creating a number of good chances early on.
"Terror" Fanteni was put through after five minutes, but goalkeeper Lars Hirschfield blocked the striker's shot with his legs.
Just a minute later, Fanteni met a good cross from Bryce Moon at the near post, but headed wide of the mark.
From a corner, Bernard Parker picked out an unmarked Lerato Chabangu at the back post, but his attempted first-time shot lacked direction.
After not taking those early chances, South Africa came close to paying a high price for their lack of finishing. Luckily for the home side Canada's Josh Simpson made a hash of an excellent opportunity to put the visitors in front. He found himself in space at the back post, but his shot lacked composure and passed across the face of goal.
Deadlock broken
Modise finally broke the deadlock six minutes from the break. After picking up the ball on the edge of the Canadian box, he curled a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Hirschfield with no chance of making a save.
Then, on the stroke of halftime, Canadian captain Paul Stalteri was shown a yellow card for fouling Fanteni in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.
Modise stepped up to take the kick and sent the goalie the wrong way to put South Africa two goals ahead at the break.
Second half
Swedish-based midfielder Lance Davids tested Hirschfield with a powerful strike from far out shortly after the restart, while Chabangu got in a couple of shots that
flew wide of the goals.
Tomas Radzinski then brought out the best in SA goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez, who stuck out his left foot to prevent the Skoda Xanthi forward from pulling Canada back into the game.
Any hopes the Canucks may have harboured of staging a late recovery were dashed when their captain Paul Stalteri was shown a second yellow card with 12 minutes to play, which earned him a red card, thus reducing the visitors to 10 men.
With a numerical advantage, South Africa simply ran the clock down to finish with a comfortable victory.
Star of the show
Modise was the star of the show for Bafana Bafana. His two-goal performance means he has scored five of South Africa's last six goals and his brace meant SA scored more than a single goal in a game for the first time in nine outings.
Other players to turn in good performances included Lance Davids in midfield, Kagisho Dikgacoi of local club, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Bryce Moon, Bevan Fransman, and the captain on the night Benson Mhlongo.
The performance of the largely South African-based team which - as it has appeared previously - seemed to contain more passion than the showings put on by Bafana's overseas-based line-up.
Selection dilemma
It leaves coach Parreira with a dilemma or two about squad selection with the African Cup of Nations in Ghana, which kicks off on 20 January, just around the corner. While Parreira may have a few problems to deal with, they are at least problems of a positive nature.
South Africa's final match of the year takes place on Tuesday 27 November against Lesotho in a fixture that the South African Football Association has listed as a training match. It won't involve any overseas-based player and Parreira says fans can expect to see three or four players to be called up for the first time.
After that, it is time for the African Cup of Nations. Parreira says he would love to win the competition, but says Bafana Bafana's performances must be viewed in terms of the bigger picture, namely the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
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