Congo shake Bafana

16 October 2014 - 02:13 By Mazola Molefe
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NOT THIS TIME: South Africa's Tokelo Rantie takes on Congo's Igor N'Ganga during the Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the two teams at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last night. The game ended in a goalless draw
NOT THIS TIME: South Africa's Tokelo Rantie takes on Congo's Igor N'Ganga during the Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the two teams at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last night. The game ended in a goalless draw
Image: GORDON HARNOLS/AFP PHOTO

The champagne had to be put on ice and celebrations postponed after Bafana Bafana were held to a tense goalless stalemate by the Republic of Congo in their African Cup of Nations qualifier at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last night.

Had Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba's men beaten Congo , South Africa would have secured their place in next year's continental showpiece in Morocco.

Though Bafana maintain their status as Group A leaders with eight points, chocking in the Limpopo rain stalled their bid to qualify early for a major tournament - something they have not managed to do since 2008 when Brazilian mentor Carlos Alberto Parreira was in charge.

The pouring rain spoiled it for both teams. But even before then, Bafana seemed too cautious and eager to avoid defeat. Congo were also better than in their 2-0 defeat in Pointe Noire four days earlier.

Mashaba, who had admitted earlier in the week to being wary of the "wounded tigers", named an unchanged side, but was forced to replace leftback Thabo Matlaba with Sibusiso Khumalo due to injury.

His counterpart, Claude le Roy, made two changes to try to be a bit more forceful away from home on a better pitch than in Congo's backyard. The two sides slugged it out last weekend on an artificial pitch that Le Roy conceded was poorly maintained.

In this campaign so far, second-placed Congo have showed more intent to win games when playing away, as they did in their opening qualifier against Nigeria. Le Roy's men fought back from a goal down to beat the Super Eagles 3-2 in Calabar.

Last night, they gave Bafana a scare - coming close to breaking the deadlock after having more shots on target than their hosts.

It was no surprise that the best chance of the match fell to Congo in the first half when Delvin Ndinga was allowed a free header in the Bafana box, which goalkeeper and skipper Senzo Meyiwa saved .

Congo also thought they had scored on the hour-mark but referee Badara Diatta ruled striker Dore Ferebory offside.

Mashaba quickly rang in the changes, bringing on Kermit Erasmus, Oupa Manyisa and Sibusiso Vilakazi for Bongani Ndulula, Tokelo Rantie and Thulani Serero. Bafana seemed to up their tempo thanks to the fresh legs, but they still could not find the target.

And when they did - through Mandla Masango in the 88th minute - Diatta blew for offside.

South Africa now have to do better in their upcoming qualifier against Sudan, who they beat 3-0 away, at a venue yet to be confirmed next month.

They will be without rightback Thulani Hlatshwayo, who earned a second booking and will be serving a one-match suspension.

All they need is a win, one that eluded them last night.

  • Banyana Banyana were a far better outfit in their Group B clash with Ghana last night, but they should have come away with more than a point, Khanyiso Tshwaku reports from Windhoek, Namibia.

However, the draw means their tournament participation is far from over as a handsome win against Algeria on Saturday will book them a spot in the semifinals. Their fate is still in their own hands after Cameroon's 2-0 win over Algeria in the earlier game.

Shiwe Nogwanya gave Banyana the lead in the 19th minute but this was cancelled by Elizabeth Cudjoe in the referee's optional time.

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