Holy Moses!
Bafana Bafana draw a blank at Mabhida Stadium
● On a characteristically frustrating afternoon, Bafana Bafana scored high for effort, but were low in composure in failing to break down Libya in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier yesterday.
Heavy rain in the morning kept the crowd small and soaked the field, making for difficult conditions underfoot.
Bafana’s injury withdrawal woes for the Cameroon 2019 qualifier were well documented. But mostly this was just another disappointing afternoon.
The decent players out on the field could not play to a pattern more than in patches to break down a determined, well-structured Libya.
Coach Stuart Baxter opted to leave Bradley Grobler on the bench, when there were indications the SuperSport man might start upfront. Instead Baxter had a lot of destructive, creative talent out in his frontline for a Libya expected to sit back.
With Vincent Pule on the right and Keagan Dolly on the left outside Sibusiso Vilakazi and Percy Tau, Baxter could not be accused of a lineup lacking skill and firepower.
SA were also unable to contend with a big, organised, fast Libyan side who practised a simple, effective counterattack in the first half.
The South Africans managed a far better attacking rhythm in the second 45 minutes, Dolly coming into the game far more. But not enough to engineer a breakthrough.
Having started with a momentous 2-0 away win against Nigeria last year, now Bafana find themselves in a tight spot for qualification for a major tournament again.
Bafana looked intent on attacking from the start, but suffered some early scares to a Libya coming out trying to sneak a goal on the counter.
Dean Furman won the ball and his attempted chip of goalkeeper Mohamed Abdaula landed on the top netting.
A cross from dangerous left-back Mohamed El Monir fell for Rabia Alshadi, whose volley was well stopped by Itumeleng Khune.
Pule gave the ball away, allowing El Monir’s cross to skid across the wet surface, with big forward Anias Saltou sliding in and not knowing much about hitting the right upright.
SA seemed surprised by a Libya actually keeping to coach Adel Amrouche’s promise to attack, even if on a quick and effective counter.
The Knights were supposed to be the ones weak on crosses, but from another skidding ball in, from Ahmad Benali, Ismaiel Sharadi connected awkwardly to force another save by Khune.
Bafana’s first real chance came from a somewhat overly intricate move. Pule was able to feed Tau to turn and shoot at Abdaula. Their most promising attack in the dying second of the half culminated in Sifiso Hlanti blasting a foot high.
The first half went to an all-too familiar pattern.
The second would raise questions on how Baxter could turn it around.
Grobler replaced nervy Pule and Tau moved to the right.
Mostly SA needed to get Furman and Kamohelo Mokotjo winning the ball in the middle, and feeding the frontline to move it around. But Libya’s outstanding midfield militants Benali and Ali Elmusrati broke down most semblances of an SA attack.
Buhle Mkhwanazi headed Dolly’s corner over.
SA got their foot on the ball in the last 25 minutes the way they would have liked to for far more of the game, as the lively Dolly took the ball inside but smashed high and wide.
In the 86th minute Dolly crossed and substitute Grobler’s header from 15m had goal written on it but floated wide. Mokotjo forced a fine save from Abdaula at the end.
Bafana ... suffered some early scares to a Libya coming out trying to sneak a goal on the counter