Bafana ease past Mozambique in friendly
Bafana clinch easy victory over Mozambique in friendly
ABRACE by Bernard Parker saw Bafana Bafana canter to a 2-0 victory over Mozambique in an international friendly at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit last night.
In front of a small crowd of just under 10 000, the South Africans produced a vastly different display from Friday’s 1-0 loss at the hands of Brazil.
Bafana had a stranglehold on possession, and while their defence was firm, they created few chances.
Parker produced a clinical finish to put his side ahead early, and then scored his second in the 88th minute to seal the result.
In Gordon Igesund’s second game in charge, the home side never looked like conceding and eased to victory.
Moeneeb Josephs was handed a rare start in the Bafana goal as Igesund chose to rest Itumeleng Khune after a good performance against Brazil.
Josephs, however, was a spectator for much of the encounter. He made his first good save in injury time, courtesy of a toothless visiting attack.
Bafana scored the opening goal in the seventh minute through a well composed finish from Parker. He made a perfectly timed run down the left and with just Nelson Logomale to beat in the Mozambique goal, he slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Three minutes later Siphiwe Tshabalala made his way to the edge of the box, but his shot was scuffed wide of the far post.
Less than sixty seconds later, after a rampant passage of play from Bafana left the visiting defenders stretched, Reneilwe Letsholonyane reeled off a first-time shot from 25 metres out, which was tipped over by the keeper.
From the ensuing corner, skipper Bongani Khumalo was able to get in a free header, but his attempt was just wide.
In the first 20 minutes, Igesund’s troops held onto the ball well through short accurate passes, something they had clearly worked on in training.
In the 24th minute, Thulani Serero banged a shot from close range, which just shaved the post.
Helder Pelembe had the first shot for the visitors in the 29th minute after a strong run down the right flank. His strike was wide.
Tshabalala, from a free kick in a dangerous position 30m out in the 41st minute, opted to try his luck. His curling cross saw Bongani Khumalo head the ball into the back of the net, but the referee disallowed the goal for an infringement in the box.
In the 66th minute, Tshabalala had the best chance to double the lead, but his shot from close range was well saved by Logomale.
With two minutes remaining, Parker doubled his tally for the evening. When left one-on-one with just the keeper to beat, he nailed the strike. – Sapa