Bafana
Bafana walloped the Zebras of Botswana 4-1 helped by a brace by Bernard Parker
but the huge win was not good enough to take South Africa to the next stage of
the World Cup qualifiers as leaders Ethiopia overcame Central African Republic
to progress to the last 10.
South
Africa’s other goals came from Kermit Erasmus and outstanding Dean Furman.
However,
the compelling victory came too little too late as Ethiopia edged out CAR in
Congo, Brazzaville to advance to the last 10 grouping of African countries
which will go into the draw to determine five countries that will go to Brazil.
However,
coach Gordon Igesund will take heart at the way his charges dismantled the
visitors scoring four top quality goals.
Bafana
Bafana were off the blocks from the word go and were all over the Zebras
forcing a corner kick in the second minute.
Kagisho
Dikgacoi could have opened the account in the seventh minute but his shot was
well saved by the Zebras goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe. The Crystal Palace
midfielder’s second attempt again fell in the hands of the Botswana goal-minder
as South Africa sought for a bright start.
In
the 11th minute, Botswana made a swift counter-attack after an early surge and
Bongani Khumalo’s desperate clearance forced the visitors’ first corner kick.
Siphiwe
Tshabalala had a good effort going narrowly over the bar from a free-kick after
Erasmus was fouled just outside the box.
In
the 25th minute, Bafana made a sweeping attack but Dambe was quick off his line
to thwart Erasmus who was charging towards goal after a brilliant cross by
Thabo Matlaba.
Erasmus
was not going to be denied in the 28th minute though as, after a good corner by
Tshabalala, he nodded home a Parker flick to make it 1-0.
It
was a deserved goal after incessant pressure from the home side.
In
the 31st minute, Dambe made another brilliant save after another sweeping move
by Bafana Bafana which resulted in Parker’s point blank shot. With the crowd
buzzing, having heard news that CAR had taken a 1-0 lead over Ethiopia, Dambe
was again inspirational denying the hosts on several occasions.
Furman
then made it 2-0 a few seconds into added time with a smart finish after a long
pass from the midfield; a handsome lead going into the break.
Bafana
Bafana started off the second half the way they ended the first stanza and
Tokelo Rantie could not beat Dambe on one-on-one situations in the 47th minute.
Bafana
Bafana then made their first change bringing in Bongani Zungu for Erasmus who
scored the opening goal.
In
the 65th minute, Andile Jali came in for Dikgacoi as Igesund tried to bring
steel in the midfield.
Botswana
then pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute through their inspirational striker,
Jerome Ramatlhakwane whose header gave Itumeleng Khune no chance to set up a
tense finish.
As
the Zebras finished strongly, they forced another corner in the 78th minute as
Bafana held on to their slender lead.
Parker
then made it safe for Bafana through a well-taken free-kick in the 83rd minute
to make the scoreline 3-1. The free-kick came after Rantie was hacked down just
outside the box when he was heading for the goal.
Daine
Klate then came in for Tshabalala in the 87th minute and immediately earned a
penalty which was well tacked home by Parker for his 17th international goal.
