Tau to Bafana’s rescue again as cup is shared
Last-gasp goal forces draw with strong Paraguay
Percy Tau came to the country’s rescue again with a dramatic last gasp equaliser as Bafana Bafana shared the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy with Paraguay at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last night with a 1-1 draw. Paraguay looked to be on their way to handing a young Bafana outfit a lesson in the realities of international football before Tau turned on his magic to score with virtually the last touch of the match.
The pass from Thulani Serero set Tau away to rescue the situation on a wet night in Durban just when it seemed the trophy would be leaving home soil.
The visitors were ahead after just the half hour and twice struck the upright and could well have had the game sealed at half-time.
But South Africa, with a much changed side from Saturday’s clash with Nigeria, took up the invitation to get back in the game, much to the relief of coach Stuart Baxter. “We played a team that was very aggressive and it was going to school for a lot of our players. When we learnt, it was pleasing that we gave them problems,” he said afterwards.
“We mixed it up a bit and we gave as good as we got.” Bafana had home hopes up quickly as Tau looked to pick up where he left off against Nigeria on Saturday and forced a fine stop from Paraguay’s veteran goalkeeper Antony Silva.
Baxter kept just four of the starting line-up from Saturday’s game.
But Paraguay did not take long to find their stride and after 15 minutes Santander hit the upright. Just past the half hour mark, Paraguay took the lead as Motjeka Madisha gave the ball away to Celso Ortiz, who then set winger Cecilio Dominguez down the flank and his shot was parried by Darren Keet, with Santander on hand to easily tap home.