Mashaba's boys put Sudan to the sword

Bafana Bafana are going to Equatorial Guinea, the new hosts of the 2015 African Nations Cup, after overwhelming Sudan in their penultimate qualifier yesterday.

SA qualified for their first major tournament since the African Nations Cup in Ghana in 2008. And they did so in some style, with a now academic match away to Nigeria in Uyo on Wednesday.

The South Africans, on 11 points in Group A, are unbeaten, registering impressive away wins against Sudan and Congo.

Goals from Thulani Serero in the 38th minute and Tokelo Rantie in the 53rd earned SA victory.

The notable flaw in the performance, showing Shakes Mashaba's young team are still very much a work in progress, was the soft goal conceded to substitute Salah Ibrahim in the 78th minute.

Bafana returned to the pitch where two weeks ago the public funeral was held for their slain goalkeeper and captain Senzo Meyiwa. The crowd of about 40000 never filled the stadium but would have filled Bafana's hearts with their vocal support.

The match was played in a strong wind blowing in off the Indian Ocean.

Sudan had been the whipping boys of the group with a lone win against hapless Nigeria, and three defeats. Yesterday only Bafana - with the pressure of needing a result, and the emotions surrounding the team - could beat Bafana.

They kept their nerve, settled from a predictably tricky start, and outclassed the Falcons of Jediane. Yesterday's was a timely first home win of this campaign.

Mashaba's Bafana increasingly have an identity and a spring in their step. They can do something in Equatorial Guinea in January.

Mashaba made the two enforced changes for the suspended Thulani Hlatshwayo at right-back and Meyiwa. Darren Keet was the goalkeeper, with Brilliant Khuzwayo on the bench.

Anele Ngcongca, returning from injury, was back in the Bafana defence and Dean Furman was a popular choice as captain.

Mashaba opted for the work-rate and creative potential of Oupa Manyisa in wide midfield ahead of the skilful running ability of Mandla Masango. Manyisa was on the left, with Serero moved to the right.

Serero scored his first international goal, and one of SA's best talents can now look forward to displaying his skills on Africa's biggest stage.

It was a nervy first half from Bafana. Sudan relied on speculative shots from long range. When SA went forward it was with the greater intent of the two sides and they looked dangerous, though without testing keeper Elmoiz Mahgoub.

The first of Sudan's efforts came from playmaker Omer Kosti, his volley well held by Keet. Mohamed Tahir's looping volley from further out flirted with the keeper's crossbar.

Bafana's first proper attack came in the 25th minute. Interplay between Andile Jali and Bongani Ndulula ended with Rantie rounding left-back Eltaher Hassan but unable to get a pass or shot away.

Left-back Sibusiso Khumalo came into the game in a big way. The SuperSport United defender made a cantering run, but opted for a wild cross rather than cutting back to those in the area.

In the same situation in the 38th, Khumalo again sprinted clear, this time cutting back to find Serero, with the Ajax Amsterdam man producing a calm, classy finish past Mahgoub.

Finally the nerves had been settled and Sudan faced a tough second half against a Bafana growing in confidence.

It did not take long to add a second. A pass laid on by Manyisa allowed Rantie to steam through the Sudan defence with a blistering run and three beautiful touches, before curling a sumptuous finish into the top-right corner.

It all seemed too easy, and if Bafana needed reminding of the task that lay in front of them, Ibrahim's goal would have done that. Mudather Ibrahim floated a cross over a static defence, Nasreldin Omer headed across goal and an unmarked Salah tapped in past Keet.