Bafana took their foot off the throat

In hindsight, Bafana Bafana lost their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against Nigeria on Wednesday in the few minutes that followed Teboho Mokoena’s equalising penalty kick.

To give context to this, however, we also need to rewind to what preceded Mokoena’s penalty. In what might just be the peak moment of drama in an Afcon full of extraordinary stories, Victor Osimhen thought he had won the game for Nigeria when he tapped in at the far post. The Super Eagles went ballistic, with bear hugs of joy all round on the touchline.

But wait. Television pictures cut to a few Bafana players talking intently to Egyptian referee Amin Omar. And then came the moment that made it look like Bafana’s name just might yet be on the Afcon trophy. Omar did the famous VAR “rectangle” and ran to the pitchside monitor.

Just before Nigeria broke and scored, Alhassan Yusuf had clearly caught Percy Tau on the back of his leg inside the penalty area. It was one of those double jeopardy moments. Not only was Osimhen’s goal ruled out, Bafana had a penalty, and a chance to level the game.

Mokoena buried it, and Bafana were inspired, a new lease of life coursing through their veins. The match was there to be won.

And then came the moment that had the Bafana bench almost unilaterally holding their head in their hands.

Teboho Mokoena smashed a free kick from 35 metres that the excellent Stanley Nwabali should really have routinely pushed for a corner. But even he was feeling the heat. Nwabali fumbled the ball straight back into play and Khuliso Mudau pulled the trigger.

He smashed his effort over the bar, however, and the game went into extra-time, and to penalties.

At this point, Nigeria were able to steady themselves, and drag themselves over the line, via the lottery of a shoot-out. Where Bafana were so clinical against Morocco in the last-16, here they took their foot off their opponents throat.

When the tears have dried up and the frustration is gone, Hugo Broos’ side will be able to look back with pride at a tournament in which they beat Africa’s No 1 side and ran the Super Eagles ever so close.