Uninspiring Bafana lose to Malawi

AN eerie cloud of smoke snaked across Royal Bafokeng Stadium last night, no doubt from the evening fires in surrounding Phokeng. It looked like a ghost – the ghost of Bafana Bafana perhaps?

A few hundred Bafana fans came to the Cosafa Cup plate semifinal against Malawi, which the South Africans lost 5-4 on penalties. The SA supporters were easily outnumbered by their Malawian counterparts in the largely open stands.

Bafana had one effort on target in the 90 goalless minutes. On a day when football’s governing body, Fifa, had seven officials indicted on corruption charges, the gloominess engendered by Bafana at this Cosafa Cup continued.

After the brightest and most cavalier of starts by Shakes Mashaba 10 months ago, taking a young team to qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in swashbuckling style, now follows the familiar pattern of questions being asked about a Bafana coach. Just that seed of doubt has been sowed over the veteran coach – so skilled at working with SA’s junior teams – at senior level.

Mashaba made one change from the penalties quarterfinal defeat against Botswana, bringing in under-20 international Motjeka Madisha for Thamsanqa Sangweni in defensive midfield.

It was a game of some effort, but less structure, from either side. SA seemed to work the ball by process of look for your nearest teammate, or play the long ball, rather than any clear strategy.

Mashaba might not have had all the players he wanted – the reality is few SA coaches ever do at the Cosafa Cup. But the other reality is what he did have just did not look that well instructed.

This after two weeks in camp before the tournament, including four practice matches.

Malawi, who had been unfortunate after giving Mozambique a torrid time then losing on penalties in the quarters, could not find the same sprightly form against the technically superior, but uninspiring, South Africans.

Earlier, Zambia proceeded to the plate final with a clinical 3-0 semifinal win over Ghana.