Knowledge gives Bafana a lesson

Zimbabwe, who failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup after finishing bottom of their group at the weekend, ran rings around Bafana here last night, putting some context to South Africa's year of misery in international football.

The 2-1 scoreline painted a gloomy picture of Bafana's hopes for the future and this second- string South African side did more harm than good for coach Gordon Igesund, who will be fighting to keep his plum job. His contract expires in July next year.

Knowledge Musona hammered home a classy goal, scoring with his left foot to beat goalkeeper Darren Keet, who was making his Bafana debut.

Substitute Cuthbert Malajila added a second to hand the Warriors a deserved win.

Bernard Parker, who captained Bafana in Itumeleng Khune's absence, pulled one back in the 90th minute, but it was not enough.

This was perhaps one of Bafana's worst displays under Igesund, who had promised to field a younger side to usher in a new breed of player following his failure to guide South Africa to the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Bafana never looked comfortable, clearly still battling to recover from the disappointment of having missed out of the world's biggest sporting event.

Their performance in the second half was much better than in the first, which had the 1000 or so supporters who pitched up almost regretting their decision.

Bafana were simply outplayed, and if this is Igesund's way of starting on a clean slate, then the coach needs fresh ideas.

Bafana hardly had a shot at goal until Parker directed a tame header straight at keeper Washington Arubi.

Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa could be of some assistance to his South African counterpart when it comes to breaking with the past.

The Warriors mentor had a plan coming into this match, leaving out his overseas contingent and sending out a young team.

It included familiar faces in Musona, Willard Katsande, Kingston Nkhatha, Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila.

"Zimbabwe were better than us. The choices and decisions in our team were bad and we looked a bit disjointed,'' Igesund admitted.

''Our younger overseas-based players are at a higher level than this."

Zimbabwe have something to build on if Gorowa keeps this team together as he looks ahead to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and even as far as the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

However, a cloud hangs over Igesund and his underperforming side. He was forced to make changes from the team that beat Botswana 4-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday having sent home his overseas-based players.

Parker was the only one to keep his place in the starting line-up.

Platinum Stars' striker Siphelele Mthembu, who made way for Lebogang Manyama at the start of the second half, made his debut.