World Cup dream lives on
Bafana Bafana might just have gained the impetus necessary to prevail in two difficult qualifying away games
AFANA Bafana’s World Cup qualifying campaign is back on track after last night’s victory in which the South Africans outplayed a spirited Central Africa Republic, writes Marc Strydom at Cape Town Stadium.
Bafana went a point clear, on five points, from previous leaders Ethiopia, until today at least when the east Africans host Botswana.
If goal difference comes into play in September, South Africa might rue missed chances because they could have won 5-0. But coach Gordon Igesund had said he would take any victory over a dangerous CAR.
The performance from an SA side that grew in confidence could just give Bafana, whose signs of
BIt was a hard-earned victory. But Bafana stepped up their game when it was required
fighting spirit under Igesund began while reaching the quarterfinals in the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February, the impetus for difficult away games against CAR and Ethiopia in June.
Igesund opted for an attacking approach. Tokelo Rantie might have played as a lone striker at times but in a fluid approach Bafana's formation varied between a 4-5-1 in defence and 4-3-3 in attack. At times left-back Thabo Matlaba was so advanced it became a 3-5-2.
CAR did not seem distracted. They showed in last year’s 3-2 Afcon qualifying win over Egypt that they’re not afraid to attack away from home. They were determined, seeking more fame and glory.
It was a hard-earned victory. But Bafana stepped up their game when it was required. Itumeleng Khune was impregnable in goal when his defence was breached.
And a South African team that is starting to form an identity created enough chances through the skill and speed of Matlaba, May Mahlangu, Rantie and substitute Siphiwe Tshabalala to engineer a comfortable victory.
SA coped well with the loss through injury of influential midfielder Dean Furman. He was replaced by Kagisho Dikgacoi just before the break.
Bafana should have taken the pressure off by scoring in the opening 20 minutes. Rantie beat Nicaise Zimbori in the area but shot inches wide.
Furman floated in a cross that Rantie volleyed high. Then Reneilwe Letsholonyane’s cross was well shaped for Matlaba to head — as again a South African found space and came close.
It gave CAR a chance of sneaking a goal. Foxi Kethevoane’s long-range shot took a slight deflection, making a good save from Khune even better. Striker Jose Balamandji was given space to turn and shoot wide when he should have done better.
It seemed Bafana’s Cape jitters might set in again. But Matlaba, who loves to shoot and can restore impetus to club Orlando Pirates when he does, produced a gem of a goal in the 33rd. His 30m drive looped over the fumbled attempted save by wrong-footed goalkeeper Geoffrey Lembet.
After the break CAR were fired up. Eloge Enza-Yamissi’s free-kick stung the hands of a diving Khune and Romaric Liganzi’s shot from the rebound was touched by the keeper to skim the crossbar.
There was another nervous moment in the 55th when Liganzi clearly used his hand to put the ball into the net from a corner but the match officials disallowed the goal only after furious protests from the Bafana players.
The South Africans wrestled back control of the game. Tshabalala came on for Thuso Phala in the 59th and added creativity.
The midfielder’s through pass in the 73rd minute set Kaizer Chiefs teammate Bernard Parker free in the left channel. He jinked into the area and sliced an expert finish past Lembet to make it 2-0.
Mahlangu, Matlaba and Tshabalala could not add more goals as SA ended rampant.