Bafana win in Kampala
11 October 2004
South Africa put their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a crucial 1-0 away win against Uganda at the Mandela Stadium in Kampala on Sunday.
The result puts South Africa on top of their group with nine points after Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who both now have eight points, played to a goalless draw in Ghana on Sunday. Cape Verde, on the other hand, beat Burkina Faso 1-0.
The qualifying matches reached their halfway mark this weekend, and South Africa's win over Uganda, their first away victory in this campaign, takes them to the top of the group.
Bafana Bafana's other wins were at home against Cape Verde (2-1) and Burkina Faso (2-0). Stuart Baxter's charges have lost two games, 3-0 away to Ghana and 1-0 to the DRC in Kinshasa.
Ghana and DRC are tied at second place with eight points each, followed by Cape Verde on third with seven points, Burkina Faso fourth with six points and Uganda last on
four points.
The qualifying games will resume in March 2005. South Africa will play two away games, against Cape Verde and Burkina Faso, and will host Ghana, Uganda and the DRC.
Numerous scoring chances
Bafana Bafana dominated much of the first half and created the most scoring chances, but failed to convert these into goals.
There was no score at halftime.
The only goal of the game was scored by Benni McCarthy in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot after Tyren Arendse was fouled by Timothy Batabaire inside the Ugandan box.
McCarthy was the first to test Ugandan goalkeeper Postnet Omwony, in the seventh minute, with a shot from outside the box which Omwony saved well.
McCarthy had another chance to score in the 15th minute, when Sibusiso Zuma laid on a cross, but headed over the cross bar.
Five minutes later Zuma came close when his shot flew into the side netting after being set up by Bennedict
Vilakazi.
Uganda had a shot at the South African goal in the 30th minute when Assan Bajope powered a shot that forced Hans Vonk to dive for a save.
A minute later Zuma went on a solo run, but his shooting failed him and his powerless kick did not bother Omwony.
After the break, Bafana continued applying the pressure. In the 57th minute McCarthy won the ball and came close to scoring when his shot went wide of the upright.
The breakthrough for South Africa finally came in the 63rd minute when Steven Pienaar located Arendse on the left wing. Arendse ran onto the ball and as he reached it he was fouled by defender Batabaire, forcing the referee to point to the spot.
McCarthy stepped up to take the kick, comfortably burying the ball into the back of the net with Omwony going the wrong way.
In the 70th minute the hosts put South Africa under pressure with a number of corners, but Vonk did well to keep them at bay.
In the 90th minute Vilakazi nearly
increased the lead when he pounced on a loose ball inside the Ugandan box, but his shot was off target.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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