BAFANA BAFANA LOSES ON THE SOIL OF THEIR FATHER’S LAND!!!

HOPE MOTAU

Bafana Bafana crashed out of the 2013 Afcon tournament, losing 3-1 on penalties to Mali. The match had ended with a draw of one goal from both teams after the extra time.

Most South Africans’ hope was on Bafana Bafana team where Dean Furman, May Mahlangu and Lehohonolo Majoro’ spot-kick misses as what saw Bafana’s Afcon dream fade away. Anyway the Bafana players played like soldiers who were prepared to die on the field for the nation. These players despite what people were negatively saying about them, have proven that this country is richly talented and if taken good care of, could take on the world.

Bafana Bafana started the Afcon tournament with a good energy and enthusiasm, until they met Mali on quarter finals on Saturday the 2^nd of February at Moses Mabhida in Durban. Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Dean Furman won most of the battles in the midfield, resulting in the host team dominating ball possession. Bernard Parker and Tokelo Rantie were really attacking on Mali and not giving the Malian goalkeeper Soumbeila Diakite even a little chance to drink water in the goals. It came as no surprise when Orlando Pirates striker Tokelo Rantie broke the Malians heart with a goal in the 30^th minutes of the first half, after a good pass from Thuso Phala’ square pass.

However Mali came back a much recharged side in the second half and made clear their intentions to get an equaliser early on. Mahamadou Samassa finally exposed Siboniso Gaxa on Bafana’s right side, sending in a cross that found Seydou Keita in the unmarked position. Keita, who is the former Barcelona star, used his great experience to heading the ball at Khune’s goals.

Keita continued to prove why he was a member of Barcelona; the best team in the world when his presence in the midfield made things difficult for Bafana Bafana. But Bafana players continued to show some sterling character, refusing to accept Mali’s dominance forcing the game into the extra time.  Simphiwe Tshabalala finally came on for Bernard Parker in the extra time and seemed to revive the Bafana’s midfield. With no decisive goal coming to separate the two teams, the match was finally forced into the spot-kicks.

 Tshabalala stepped up to take the first spot-kick and sent Diakite the wrong way to put Bafana ahead. However, that was the only ball Bafana would convert into a goal with Furman and Mahlangu’s attempts being away by Diakite. Ending South Africa’s Afcon dream, Majoro shot failed to give Bafana Bafana another goal which lead to the excitement of the Malian side; because it was confirmed right there that Mali is going for the semi-final.

However, Bafana will certainly look back to their participation in the tournament with pride and hope that they can carry the same form into the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers later this year. TUT LIVE@12 reported that SAFA extended the contract with Gordon Igesund to 2018. This is a good decision made by our Soccer Association; because it will give him a good time to build our national team before FIFA world cup in Brazil. Igesund needs enough time to take the South African team to the green pasture, and we must not just change the coaches frequently.