Bafana Bafana’s troubles in entrance of objective got here again to hang-out them on Tuesday, with Mali making the most of a much-improved second half efficiency to select up a 2-0 Group E victory at the Stade Amadou Gon Koulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.
With Lyle Foster and Lebo Mothiba dominated out of Hugo Broos’ squad, it at all times appeared like Percy Tau can be the talisman in assault for Bafana at this competitors.
Unfortunately for ‘the Lion of Judah’, nevertheless, this was a day to neglect, a horrible penalty miss and different wasted first half possibilities proving essential, as Mali’s overseas-based stars lastly got here good after the break.
Mali captain Hamari Traore put the Eagles in entrance on the hour mark, whereas simply six minutes later, Lassine Sinayoko successfully killed off the recreation with a second.
Bafana now head into Sunday’s conflict with Namibia in determined want of a victory, in opposition to a Desert Warriors facet flying excessive after their shock win over Tunisia on Tuesday. But it may have been so completely different.
With higher ending from Tau, Hugo Broos’ facet may have gone in at half time with a wholesome lead.
In the 14th minute, Thapelo Maseko discovered himself free on the left after some free-flowing soccer and his low cross was drilled in direction of objective by Tau, however Dijgui Diarra made the save.
Two minutes later, Bafana had been handed an excellent likelihood to take the lead as Evidence Makgopa went down in the field clutching his face, and Sikou Niakate, after a VAR replay, was adjudged to have flung out an elbow.
A penalty and a yellow card for Niakite was the last determination from Egyptian referee Mohamed Adel, although it was exhausting to see how the Malian central defender was not despatched off.
An important miss
Tau stepped as much as take the penalty, however blasted the ball means over the bar.
In the 35th minute, Tau ran onto a superb by way of ball however as an alternative of squaring to Evidence Makgopa for a simple faucet in, selected to shoot and Diarra made a cushty save.
Three minutes earlier than the break, a cross from Khuliso Mudau discovered the head of Tau, however once more his effort was no drawback for Diarra.
Mali got here out with way more intent after the break, urgent Bafana into extra errors, and will have gone in entrance in the 49th minute, however Haidara was means astray with solely Williams to beat.
On the hour mark, nevertheless, Sekou Koita stepped up and curled in a superb free kick that Williams did properly to get to however may solely parry straight to Traore, who tapped into an empty web.
Mali quickly doubled their lead, Sinayoko disregarding Siyanda Xulu and ending low previous Williams.
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