Bafana stumble at first hurdle
SOUTH Africa were bundled out of their own tournament at the first hurdle yesterday as Tanzania beat them 1-0 in the Cosafa Castle Cup quarterfinal at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.
Elias Maguri’s 18th-minute strike gave the guest team a semifinal slot, although the makeshift home team dominated the match, but ultimately looked the patchwork collection of players they were.
“It was very disappointing. I think the game was poor‚” a frustrated Stuart Baxter said after a second successive defeat in the few weeks since he took over.
“There was not a lot of quality shown by either side, but we had a few chances and built a bit of pressure, but failed to take them.”
There is not much for him to work on, just 48 hours before their next game in the plate competition against Botswana at the Moruleng Stadium tomorrow.
Tanzania are through to the semifinal against Zambia on Wednesday‚ also at the Moruleng Stadium.
South Africa’s lineup had a total of five previous caps between them and the makeshift nature of the selection was evident early as the combinations looked a little uncertain.
But Cole Alexander‚ parachuted into the squad on Thursday, was busy from the beginning‚ despite not having played since last February.
His midfield work shone over the other contributions, although Judas Moseamedi made his potential clear too.
In fact, he should have had the first goal when a long ball from Mario Booysen saw him run on and finish but the linesmen flagged him offside.
The decision‚ TV replays showed‚ was incorrect and South Africa should have gone into the lead. But instead it was Tanzania who took the lead immediately after the incident with a superb ball over the top of a South Africa defence that had pushed up too high‚ allowing Maguri to get in behind Lorenzo Gordinho and, with a solid first touch, beat Boalefa Pule.
South Africa went into the break a goal down, but 7-0 up in the corner count and with 65% of the possession.
They dominated the second period, but Tanzania had a stout defence, although there were late chances for Moseamedi‚ one of the few shining lights for South Africa‚ and Gordinho‚ who might have snatched a stoppage time equaliser.
It was very disappointing. I think the game was poor