Bafana disappoint against Cape Verde
SA’s hopes of qualifying for World Cup dented after loss
BAFANA Bafana’s 2018 World Cup qualifying hopes are hanging by a thread after yet another shock 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde Islands at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last night.
Garry Rodrigues’s thumping free kick early in the second half and another stunner from the winger in the 67th minute was enough to silence the home crowd.
This match proved once again that dominating ball possession does not mean anything in football. It is the goals that count.
Bafana had promised a better showing after disappointing in the 2-1 defeat in Praia, and in response, the nation had rallied behind them.
There was hope, because for one, Bafana rarely lose at Moses Mabhida. It all changed last night. Bafana showed early promise by taking the game to the visitors, dominated possession and looked on course to redeem themselves.
On the other hand, the Blue Sharks were just too happy to absorb the pressure and watch Hlompho Kekana’s couple of long-range shots fail to hit the target.
The closest Bafana came to getting a goal was eight minutes before the interval, when Kekana’s free kick was just over the bar.
Credit to the fans, they were still in full voice by the break, even though Bafana did not look like a team scoring despite playing with two strikers, Tokelo Rantie and Bradley Grobler.
The second half kicked off with the crowd expecting goals from Bafana.
Who would not have faith in a team playing in their own back yard against opponents they are expected to beat?
It was not to be, though. Cape Verde were not going to roll over and get a beating.
And so the wheels came off for Bafana when many least expected it.
Rodrigues’s free kick was too good for Wayne Sandilands, and the visitors were in the lead just seven minutes into the second half.
His thunderous strike in the 67th minute was just as good and this time, even the home fans were stunned into silence.
Cape Verde had had enough of defending and showed they were ready for a fight.
Bafana’s Stuart Baxter made some changes, bringing in the likes of Lebogang Manyama, Andile Jali and Percy Tau, but the damage had already been done.
Jali’s late strike once again gave the nation some hope, but it was too little to even get a draw.
Bafana will live to rue the two consecutive defeats in their qualifying campaign. It is no longer in their hands.
Bafana’s other Group D opponents, Burkina Faso and Senegal, drew 2-2 last night.