Bafana Bafana stun Mexico
Brad Morgan
11 July 2005
Bafana Bafana pulled off one of their best results yet when they stunned world number six Mexico 2-1 in the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States at the weekend. South Africa then followed this up with a 3-3 draw against unpredictable Jamaica to book a place in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Concacaf Gold Cup features 12 countries from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as two invited nations.
Even for Bafana's fans the win against Mexico was most unexpected. In the run-up to the tournament coach Stuart Baxter had to deal with numerous player withdrawals.
Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates all needed their Bafana players for club duty, while most of the team's overseas-based players withdrew from the tournament and two who were expected failed to pitch.
Against the odds
On the two previous occasions South Africa faced Mexico, the
central American powerhouse had won comfortably, scoring eight goals in the two contests, including a 4-0 thrashing in Los Angeles 12 years ago. Most recently, in June 2000, the Mexicans beat Bafana 4-2 in Dallas.
Heading into the contest, Mexico recently reached the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in Germany, where they also defeated eventual winners Brazil.
However, despite poor preparation and the lack of big name players in their ranks, South Africa refused to be intimidated by the Mexican challenge
Playing in front of 30 000 fans in Los Angeles, South Africa stunned Mexico when they took the lead in the twenty-seventh minute.
Phil Evans' first goal for SA
A corner from Elrio van Heerden was netted by an unmarked Phil Evans to put SA one-up. It was his first goal for Bafana Bafana. It was also a lucky one.
The ball came off Lungisani Ndlela's back on the way to Evans, finding the Supersport United man's head
perfectly for him to steer it into the goal off the upright.
Mexico fought back hard, putting the pressure on South Africa, but it was Stuart Baxter's charges who increased their lead just before the break.
Again, Van Heerden was involved. The FC Copenhagen midfielder started the move off by finding Siyabonga Nomvete with a perfect cross-field pass. Nomvete returned the favour by picking out Van Heerden from the right with a lovely cross which the midfielder steered home.
Van Heerden rewarded
Van Heerden's goal was, like that scored by Evans, his first for his country.
Mexico once more upped the heat in the second half, but goalkeeper Calvin Marlin was in defiant mood in the South African goal.
It took the Mexicans until eight minutes from time to crack the South African defences. Francisco Gonzalez headed the goal, from a cross by Luis Ernesto Perez, to give the pro-Mexico crowd some hope, but it proved to be too little
too late as Bafana Bafana held on for a sweet victory.
Quarterfinal place
South Africa followed up their shock win over the world's sixth ranked team with a 3-3 draw against unpredictable Jamaica. The draw booked a quarterfinal place for both countries.
Abram Raselemane gave Bafana Bafana the lead when he volleyed home from a header by Siyabonga Nomvete. However, only one minute later, Jermaine Hue leveled the scores for the Jamaicans with a long-distance drive.
Four minutes before halftime Lungisani Ndlela headed home from Elrio van Heerden's corner kick to score his first goal for South Africa. Only two minutes later, though, Jamaica drew even again as Damion Stewart headed home from close range.
Siyabonga Nomvete gave Bafana Bafana the advantage 11 minutes into the second half when he struck from 11 yards out, but substitute Teafore Bennett earned Jamaica a share of the spoils with an eightieth-minute equaliser.
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