CRASH! BOOM! BANG!
COSAFA CUP: BAFANA STUMBLE OVER FIRST HURDLE
South Africa to meet Botswana in the plate semifinals after their shock loss to Taifa Stars.
Bafana Bafana’s hopes of defending the Cosafa Cup were crushed by a spirited Tanzanian team who beat Stuart Baxter’s side 1-0 in the quarterfinals at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng yesterday.
It was Tanzania’s big striker Elias Maguri who ended the home team’s participation in the tournament with a fine finish early in the first half.
Tanzania, who are taking part in the Southern African tournament as guests, will now face Zambia in the semifinals to be played at the Moruleng Stadium on Wednesday.
The youthful Bafana side, who only entered the competition at the quarterfinal stage, enjoyed plenty of possession and created dozens of chances, but the East Africans’ solid defence paved the way for their surprise win.
The first few minutes of the match saw Tanzania going forward with inviting long balls for Maguri, who gave the South African defence a tough time with his physical appearance.
Judas Moseamedi thought he had found the back of the net for Baxter’s team, but referee ruled that the Cape Town City striker was offside.
Soon after the Bafana goal was disallowed, Maguri opened the scoring with his 18th minute strike to put the visitors in the lead.
The goal seemed to provide the Tanzanian players with a massive confidence boost as they started pressing for a second goal.
Bafana were desperate in search for the equalising goal, but their chances just fell through as they went into half time behind.
In the 57th minute, Cole Alexander should have easily levelled the scores, but his attempted back heel didn’t work out for him as the ball just crossed the goalmouth with the Taifa Stars goalkeeper clearly beaten.
Bafana will now compete in the plate semifinals against Botswana on Wednesday.