Bafana stumble against Bolivia
Brad Morgan
29 March 2007
After securing an important 3-0 win away to Chad in an African Cup of Nations qualifier at the weekend, Bafana Bafana came crashing back to earth when they went down 1-0 to Bolivia in a friendly at Ellis Park on Wednesday evening.
Disappointingly for South Africa, it was a first away win for the South Americans since a friendly victory over Honduras in October 2003.
The defeat also means Bafana Bafana haven't notched a victory on home soil in six outings. The last time they tasted success in South Africa was in March 2005 when, under Stuart Baxter, they beat Uganda 2-1.
A monotonous lament
It has become a monotonous lament, but, again, it was poor finishing that did in Carlos Alberto Parreira's charges.
Having seen enough of just how much South Africa's poor form in front of goal is hurting the team, Parreira must be dying to have a face-to-face chat with in-form Blackburn striker Benni
McCarthy.
With South Africa set to host the 2010 World Cup, he would be confident of persuading McCarthy to change his decision to retire from international football. Bafana Bafana desperately needed a finisher like the Rovers' striker right now.
'Not happy'
Looking back over the game, Parreira coach declared himself "not happy" to have suffered defeat, but he defended his team, saying he was happy with its attitude.
Addressing the media, he said: "We have to get used to these types of games. I have said it all along. We need to play against even stronger opponents. I'm 100 percent convinced of this."
Parreira also indicated that he would like to arrange more friendlies when he added: "We are ready to play against any available team, it doesn't matter how strong they are."
Same eleven
South Africa started the contest with the same eleven that took the field against Chad and, early on, they
looked in good form, passing the ball around nicely.
However, with 19 minutes played, the home side was stunned when a defensive blunder allowed Joselito Vaca in to score for the Bolivians.
Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena lost his footing as he attempted to clear the ball from inside the box, allowing Vaca to race onto it and take a shot. Macbeth Sibaya, who had attempted to cover for Mokoena, partially blocked the ball, but only enough to deflect it past South Africa's goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez.
Equaliser ruled out
Right on half time, Bafana Bafana thought they were back on level terms when Surprise Moriri netted from the edge of the box. However, Surprise was in for a nasty surprise, along with his teammates, as the referee indicated he had blown his whistle for the end of the half only moments before.
At halftime Parreira made four changes - it was, after all, a friendly international - and later in the second period he made two
further changes.
Benedict Vilakazi, who came on at the break, tested Bolivia's goalkeeper Sergio Galarza with some decent efforts from long range, while Elrio van Heerden saw a shot fly just past a post.
Siyabonga Nomvete could have snatched a late draw for South Africa, but he failed to keep his header from close range down and Bolivia, ranked 101 in the world, went on to secure the win.
Assessing performances
Parreira now has the chance to assess his team's performances, having had the opportunity to see his strongest squad, with its many European-based stars, in action over two games. He has plenty of work to do, especially where goal-scoring is concerned.
However, time is on the coach's side as he plots the way forward; South Africa's next match is an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad at home on 3 June, followed by an away game against Congo on 16 June.
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