In
what was billed as Limpopo River derby, goals by Knowledge Musona and Cuthbert
Malajila gave visiting Zimbabwe a 2-1 victory over a Bafana Bafana side that
never matched the high standards that saw them wallop Botswana 4-1 last
Saturday.
Bafana
Bafana stand-in skipper Bernard Parker netted a consolation goal for the home
side but the scorcher will go down as one of the striker’s most imperious
goals.
Though
this was just a friendly match, there was nothing friendly in the middle of the
park as both sides took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Bafana
coach Gordon Igesund made several changes to the squad that crushed Botswana on
Saturday but it was Zimbabwe who started the brightest.
In
the very opening minute, Kingstone Nkhata got the better of club teammate Eric
Mathoho but Knowledge Musona blasted his shot over the bar.
In
the seventh minute, Nkhata was slow to react when he came face to face with
Darren Keet and Bafana Bafanasurvived again.
Bafana
then forced consecutive corner kicks but again it was the visitors who looked
dangerous on the break. Khama Billiathad a long range shot just going wide
midway through the first half as the match see-sawed from one end to the other.
The
combination of Billiat and Musona was really proving athorn in the flesh for
the Bafana back four.
In
the 35 th minute Parker was set up by
Zungu but the Zimbabwe defence cleared for a corner as Bafana started to get
their footing.
While
the match lacked the electrifying atmosphere, both teams deservedly went on
break deadlocked.
Zimbabwe
were again quick off the blocks forcing a corner in the 50 th minute. And from the resultant corner, Musona
rifled home a cracker after South Africa had failed to clear their lines. The
shot was so fierce; Keet was left clutching thin air.
Zimbabwe
could have made it 2-0 moments later but Nkhata fluffed a great chance when he
had only the keeper to beat.
Parker
had a great chance to equalise but his header went narrowly wide. Bongani Zungu
followed moments later but again glanced his attempt wide. Tempers then flared
in typical derby fashion and Willard Katsande was shown a yellow card for
remonstrating too far.
In
the 74 th minute, a rasping shot from
Tsepo Masilela agonisingly went over the bar as Bafana Bafana pressed for the
equaliser.
Zimbabwe
had the ball in the back of the net in the 80 th minute but the goal was ruled offside though
replays showed match officials blundered on the decision.
Cuthbert
Malajila then made a hush of a clear chance after being put through by Nkhata
late in the match. Malajila then made it 2-0 in the referee’s optional time
after outstandingNkhata had set him up and was left with the easiest of tasks
to tap the ball home.
Parker
pulled one back with a cracker of a goal from just outside the box to give the
scoreline some respectability for the home side.
- SAFA
