Mauritania, Bafana draw

Nelspruit – Bafana Bafana flopped in front of goal at home again yesterday as they finished off their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw with Mauritania.

Shakes Mashaba’s men had already failed to qualify for next year’s tournament in Gabon when this game kicked off and they spent much of the next 90 minutes at Mbombela Stadium illustrating why.

Nothing was more symptomatic of their finishing woes in front of their own fans than when Thamsanqa Gabuza stood over a penalty in the 57th minute. The Orlando Pirates striker hit a shot so weak that Mauritania’s 18 year-old ’keeper Mohamed Boubacar, on as a halftime substitute, merely had to guess the right way to make a save.

South Africa wasted plenty of other opportunities to finish off opponents who, after a fast start, faded as the night wore on. Bafana even played against ten men for the last 15 minutes, Ismail Diakhite sent off for two extremely silly yellow cards.

But Bafana could not strike a winning blow and they end this campaign with just one goal and three draws in their three home matches. Unless Mashaba can find a solution, his chances of qualifying the team for Russia 2018 look distinctly bleak.

His side got off to a slow start yesterday and went behind in the 17th minute, Mauritania captain Dialo Guideye finding space in front of the Bafana defence and sweeping a low shot beyond the reach of Itumeleng Khune.

South Africa drew level in the 26th minute, Mpho Makola’s corner headed down by Thulani Hlatshwayo, with Hlompho Kekana sneaking in front of Brahim Souleymane to nod in from close range.

Souleymane injured himself making a good save from Gabuza in first half stoppage time. Boubacar replaced him and was beaten in the 52nd minute, but Kekana was in an offside position this time.