World Cup door still open for Bafana Bafana:

Ethiopia may lose points for offence in earlier World Cup qualifier

BAFANA Bafana’s World Cup dream is not over just yet. In a spectacular twist following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Ethiopia, the east Africans face being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in one of their matches. South Africa’s players collapsed in heartbreak after their defeat in their Brazil 2014 Group A qualifier at Addis Ababa Stadium, while wild scenes of celebration erupted in the stadium.

The result saw Ethiopia go to an unassailable 13 points, and qualify for the final knockout round. Bafana remained second on eight points.

But South Africa’s final match against Botswana at home in September now seems almost certain to no longer be just a formality.

Ethiopia, who play Central Africa Republic away in their final fixture, face disciplinary action from Fifa for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-1 win against Botswana in Gaborone on June 8.

If found guilty, they will lose three points. This would leave the Walia Antelopes on 10 points, just two ahead of South Africa. A statement posted on the Fifa website on Sunday night read: “Fifa can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against three member associations for each having allegedly fielded an ineligible player in the preliminary competition for the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

“The Ethiopian Football Association allegedly fielded an ineligible player in the match between Botswana and Ethiopia on June 8.”

Also being probed are the Togo and Equatorial Guinea associations.

Ethiopia fielded winger Minyahil Teshome against Botswana, even though he had picked up two yellow cards in previous matches and should have been suspended.

South Africa had matched difficult opponents Ethiopia in the make-or-break qualifier, going toe to toe with the Walias on a bumpy ground, at a lungbursting altitude of 2 400m.

After Bernard Parker opened the scoring, Getafeh Kebeded equalised just before the break. Parker scored an unlucky own goal in the 70th minute.

“I’m disappointed we lost,” coach Gordon Ige- sund said. “You could see from the commitment and the attitude of the players that we really wanted to play. I think we had more shots on target.

“The own goal we scored was one of those things that will never happen in a hundred years. But unfortunately it did happen – it hit him [Parker] perfectly on the head and went in right at the top corner. [But] again we took the game to them.

“Every single player, I was pleased with their efforts. We played good football, we knocked it around, created situations, attacked in the right channel ... we couldn’t do more.

“I think we were a bit unlucky, especially with “Yeye” [Reneilwe Letsholonyane] missing in the first half when he was through.”