Bafana through to Cosafa Cup semis after win over Namibia

Bafana Bafana are through to the semifinals of the 2013 Cosafa Cup following their 2-1 victory over Namibia at a packed Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia on Saturday.

The victory means Bafana Bafana book their place in the last four where they will face the winner between Zambia and Mozambique who play in Kitwe on Sunday, 14 July.

Two second half goals from Jabulani Shongwe and Hlompho Kekana were enough to see South Africa go through.

This was as good start for Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund after a disastrous preparation which saw several players pull out of the squad that travelled to Zambia.

The experience of goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, who was the captain, as well Hlompho Kekana, Lerato Chabangu and Mzikayise Mashaba helped while the duo of debutants Buhle Mkhwanazi and Tshepo Gumede was solid and played like seasoned campaigners.

Sibusiso Khumalo was substituted in the first half in a tactical move by Igesund, bringing on Ruzaigh Gamildien to add more numbers forward. Not only did South Africa take control but also Gamildien was chosen Man of the Match.

Shongwe came on at the start of the second half for South Africa and made his mark just four minutes later, his powerful shot not stopped by the Namibia goalkeeper – giving Bafana Bafana a one-nil lead.

Kekana’s experience shown when he collected a ball at the edge of the opposition box to fire home a cracker for a two nil lead in the 71st minute.

Namibia was fortunate to be awarded a penalty after Shongwe is adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.

Second-half substitute Willy Stephanus converted after a retake – Sandilands had saved the initial shot was judged to have moved before the kick was taken.

But it was not enough to derail South Africa’s mission to get into the next round.

 In an effort to get more goals, Igesund brought on striker Katlego Mashego for the exhausted Chabangu, but the score line remained the same.

“This was game was very important to us because our preparation was not very ideal. Before the start of the match I said to the boys let’s win this match we will take it from there. We only had two training sessions here in Zambia but the boys did very well. It was tough out there and you could see that we needed to work together more because at times our game was disjointed – reason being it was the first time this team played together,” said Igesund.

“We are happy to be in the next round of this tournament, and with more hard work I believe we will get better as a team. It was crucial that we get past the first one. The pitch did not make things any easier for the two teams which made things more tough out there and led to a scrappy match, but I am happy with the result and proud of the boys. They were a bit nervous but they their attitude and passion and commitment was perfect, and they worked hard together. Several players put their hands up, which is what I was looking for.”

Namibia had come into the match with high hopes following back to back victories in their opening two matches.

After six meetings, South Africa has now won three times to one victory for the Brave Warriors with two matches drawn.

“It’s always very tough playing against South Africa as they have very good players. They really came at us but also lack of concentration at vital moments, especially at the back, cost us the match. We should not have let in the goals that we did – our decision-making at the back was not the best. We got a lifeline with a late penalty and tried to pile on the pressure but the goals did not come,” said Namibia coach Ricardo Manneti, who played under Igesund in South Africa a few years ago.

South Africa play their next match on Wednesday, 17 July at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Kickoff is at 20h00.

- SAFA