HEARTBREAK
Ethiopia snatches victory and ends Bafana’s dream to play in 2014 World Cup
Ethiopia were always going to cause problems early. From Abebaw Butako's free-kick, dangerman Salahdin Said's header was well saved by Itumeleng Khune.
Bafana knew they had to fight fire with fire, and used the ball when they had it. Parker slipped Reneilwe Letsholonyane through the middle, who blasted high.
There were problems in the understanding of the SA defence on how to deal with Said and strike partner Kebede as Said tested Khune again in the 16th minute.
But tough conditions and determined opponents aside, Bafana looked more cohesive on attack. And they opened the scoring in the 33rd when Parker ran onto a long-ball down the left, held off defender Biyadiglign Aliyas, and produced a low finish across goalkeeper Jemal Tasew into the goal.
Letsholonyane forced a save from Tasew in the 39th. But two minutes later, with SA's defence still ragged, Kebede was allowed in on the right and finished with a similar effort as Parker's past Khune.
The effects of the 2 400 metres altitude showed as the South Africans puffed noticeably harder than a relaxed Ethiopia into the changerooms at the break.
Nevertheless SA came out less nervy, and dominated play after the break with Dean Furman asserting himself better in midfield and Tokelo Rantie a dangerous runner coming on for Thuso Phala.
Rantie beat a path into the area but saw a close-range shot blocked. But, with SA edging the ascendancy, they conceded in the most unfortunate manner in the 70th. Butako's free-kick from the right was curled towards goal. Bernard Parker got up just inside the area, found the ball behind him, and the header connected to fly past Khune.
The striker will torture himself for the header that effectively cost his team their World Cup chances. He shouldn't. Their journey to Brazil was effectively ended many months before, in Rustenburg when SA started with a 1-1 draw.