Bafana
Bafana’s dreams of playing in the 2014 Fifa World Cup ended on Sunday with a
2-1 defeat against Ethiopia at a packed National Stadium in the capital Addis
Ababa.
Ethiopia
are now five points ahead of second-placed South Africa and cannot be overtaken
even if they lose to Central African Republic (CAR) and South Africa beat
Botswana in the last round of matches.
The
East Africans will now proceed to the play–offs, of which the five winners will
book a ticket to Brazil.
Gordon
Igesund’s side put up a gallant fight but a combination of bad luck and some
frustrating home team decisions which included feigning injuries as a time
wasting gimmick and a hostile crowd, put paid to their dreams of getting to
Brazil 2014.
But
while they will fly home tomorrow knowing their dreams won’t be realised, this
bunch of players should raise their heads high for having tried their best.
Despite
fears of high altitude, it was Bafana Bafana who started and finished running
harder than the hosts but it was just not their day.
The
hosts, under a lot of weight of huge expectations from the vociferous crowd,
started nervously, giving away two free-kicks within a minute.
But
on the third minute, Khune was called into action to stop Bargicho Salahadin’s
well taken header following a free-kick from outside the box.
Four
minutes later Bafana Bafana were on the attack with Bernard Parker racing into
the box before feeding the ball off to May Mahlangu whose effort went narrowly
wide. Ten minutes later, Thuso Phala also had an effort missing the target as
Bafana made a quick transition from defence into attack.
Khune
was against called into action on the 16th minute when he brilliantly saved a Salahadin
effort. Ethiopia keeper Jemal Tassew was then stung by a Parker shot on the
19th minute spilling off the drive but there were no takers from the rebound.
Then
Parker’s header was cleared off the line following a corner-kick by Phala on
30th minute as South Africa piled the pressure looking for the opener.
But
there was nothing the Ethiopian keeper could do three minutes later when Parker
fired home a half volley as Bafana Bafana took a deserved lead. A trademark
long clearance from Khune fell onto the path of Parker who responded with a
first-time shot to silence the National Stadium.
It
could have been 2-0 on 40th minute. A quick Bafana build-up set Reneilwe
Letsholonyane free but the hardworking midfielder’s effort was too tame and was
easily collected by the keeper.
That
miss proved expensive as on the 43rd minute, Getaneh Kabede grabbed the
equaliser from an acute angle after the Bafana Bafana defence had hesitated to
clear the ball.
Bafana
got the second half underway in the same purposeful fashion and when Thuso
Phala was fouled just outside the box, a Tshabalala free-kick was blocked by
the Ethiopian wall.
Bafana
made their first change on the 51st minute with Tokelo Rantie coming on for
Phala. Rantie almost made an immediate impact as he held off three Ethiopian
defenders before firing but his effort was blocked for a corner.
On
the 61st minute, Tshabalala’s effort could not beat the Ethiopian wall and a
follow-up attack saw Mathoho’s header going just wide.
Bafana
introduced Tlou Segolela on the 66th minute for Mahlangu to freshen up the
attack but it was the hosts supporters who erupted into wild celebrations on
the 70th minute following a free kick which was headed into an own net by
Parker.
Bafana
had a chance to level the score on the 75th minute after Rantie was brought
down on the edge of the box but Tshabalala’s free-kick went narrowly wide.
Katlego Mashego came on in place of Langerman on the 80th minute as Bafana
pressed on for the elusive equaliser.
Ethiopia
had a chance deep in stoppage time to wrap up the match when they capitalised
on Bafana Bafana who had thrown every man upfront but Khune saved the day.
Despite desperate attempts by Bafana Bafana in the dying minutes, Ethiopia held
on for victory.
Bafana Bafana are scheduled to arrive home at13h30 aboard Ethiopian Airways on Monday, 17 June 2013.
- SAFA
