Bafana edge closer to Ghana 2008
Brad Morgan
18 June 2007
Bafana Bafana have all but wrapped up a place at the African Cup of Nations finals in Ghana next year after playing to a one-all draw against Congo in Pointe Noire. That result leaves South Africa in prime position to book their place in Africa's biggest soccer tournament.
Carlos Alberto Parreira's charges certainly had plenty of motivation to win because the other teams in their qualifying group, Zambia and Chad, had drawn the day before. Thus, South Africa knew just how valuable a positive result would be to the team's African Cup of Nations cause.
Playing on an artificial surface for the first time, Bafana Bafana were put to a stiff test by the Congolese, who dominated the early going in the game.
First goal conceded
However, it was Congo who had to come from behind to earn the draw, and that goal was the first South Africa had conceded in five qualifying matches.
The home side signaled its intent in
the very first minute of the game, trying to catch SA goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez off guard with a long range shot from halfway, but it provided the Germany-bound player with no problems.
The first corner of the game went Congo's way after three minutes, but South Africa defended it easily. After five minutes, with the Congolese controlling the action, an overhead shot by Fabrice Onyama passed just wide of Fernandez's upright.
High and wide
With seven minutes played, Bradley Carnell and Nasief Morris conceded a free kick on the edge of the South African penalty area when they combined to bring down Jean Vivien Batsinba, but Franchel Ibara's shot was high and wide.
Sibusiso Zuma then put Mouko Barel to the test with an ambitious shot, but the Congo goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Just past the quarter-four mark, the Congolese had a wonderful opportunity to go in front, but Dyzaiss Molithin fluffed a header after a cross from the
left had found him unmarked; the ball passed wide of goal.
Side netting
Congo kept the pressure on Bafana Bafana, forcing the South Africans onto the back foot, and Onyama struck the side of the netting with another shot.
As time marched towards the break, with about five minutes left in the half, Fernandez was called upon to make two sharp saves to keep a clean sheet. He did, and the teams went into half-time level at nil-nil.
In the very first minute of the second half, South Africa took the lead through Sibusiso Zuma.
Goal
Bafana won a throw-in on the right from which Cyril Nzama found Surprise Moriri. His clever pass put Papi Zothwane in the clear. He found Zuma on the edge of the area and Arminia Bielefeld star provided the finish, knocking the ball into the top of the net to silence the home supporters.
Congo, though, weren't about to lie down. They fought back and, after five minutes,
Fernandez was again in the action, making a good save to keep out a Congolese free kick.
Knowing they needed a win to have any hope of progressing to Ghana 2008, Congo started to look desperate, pushing hard for an equalizer, while South Africa appeared more composed than they had been in the first half.
Mistake
Congo, though, were rewarded 20 minutes into the half. The goal, however, was the result of a mistake by Fernandez. He failed to hold on to a long-range strike by Batsinba, allowing the ball to slip through his fingers and over the goal line, thus giving the home team a lifeline.
Shortly afterwards, South Africa created a nice opportunity for Tiko Modise but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he fired high over the goals.
Fernandez continued to be kept busy with shots, but nothing that really challenged him. In the last five minutes, Congo twice nearly paid for their lack of finishing.
Chances
SA goal scorer Zuma picked up a clearance by Nzama and created the opportunity for a shot. Unfortunately for him, his compass wasn't set correctly and his shot went wide of goal.
Then, with only a minute left to play, Siyabonga Nomvete had a chance to make sure of South Africa's qualification for the Cup of Nations finals with a clear-cut opening. Somehow, though, from only five metres out, he was far off target with a left-footed shot.
Final match
What the weekend's results now mean is Zambia, when they tackle Bafana Bafana in South Africa in early September, will need to win by at least four goals, a very unlikely result given SA's sturdy defence throughout qualifying.
Carlos Albert Parreira's side has one foot in Ghana. Even with a loss in their last outing they can still qualify for the finals, as long as it isn't a sensationally big defeat.
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