Bafana backs to wall as Zambia snatch last-gasp equaliser

SOUTH Africa and Zambia played to a 2-2 draw in a African Nations Championship (Chan) first leg, third round qualifier at the Buffalo City Stadium here yesterday. Zambia equalised in the final seconds of the match.

Justin Shonga’s superb volley from a long throw-in saw him power the ball to the left of Bafana goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma to break the heart of the South African side, who looked comfortable on a 2-0 lead at one stage.

The goal came just after Bafana were reduced to 10 men when defender Tercious Malepe was sent off for a body check block on a Zambian opponent which resulted in the SA player receiving his second yellow card.

Bafana coach Stuart Baxter spent a large part of the week attempting to assemble his team after several PSL clubs called their players back from the national camp to focus on club commitments, but the outh brigade didn’t let their coach down.

Zambia, coached by former Kaizer Chiefs and Hellenic striker Wedson Nyrienda, could have gone ahead as early as the sixth minute but it was left to Bvuma to close the shot angle of Ernest Mbewe, forcing the Zambian to shoot over the bar from close range.

The hosts took the lead in the 31st minute. Zambia keeper Toaster Nsabata should have made a routing catch from a corner kick, but he misjudged the high cross and the ball fell onto the head of striker Gift Motupa, pictured, who then tapped the ball home.

The hard-running Motupa and Dumisani Zuma were thorns in the flesh of the visitors for most of the match and at 1-0 up at half-time, SA gave the Zambians much to think about during the interval.

Bafana stunned the Zambians six minutes after the break when captain Mario Booysen latched onto a corner kick from the left by Zuma and saw his left-footed first attempt from close range bundled off the goal-line, before scoring with his second effort.

To their credit, Zambia never gave up and their perseverance was rewarded as they scored an-all important away goal when substitute striker Martin Phiri caught the Bafana defence ball-watching and headed home in the 59th minute.

Based on the frenetic week he had in assembling a team, Baxter will know his side have their work cut out as they prepare for the return leg in Zambia on Saturday. – ANA