Bafana Bafana rolled again the years at FNB Stadium on Saturday, paying a positive tribute to the late Clive Barker with a rousing 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Morocco.
When Zakhele Lepasa tapped in South Africa’s second objective, he set off together with his arms prolonged to both facet, mirroring the ‘aeroplane’ celebration that Barker made well-known when he was head coach of Bafana’s 1996 Afcon profitable facet.
This well-known stadium was not fairly packed to the hilt, because it was for the Afcon closing in ’96, however there was a good crowd of over 50 000 and a vigorous environment, even when it received a bit too vigorous when one pitch invader raced onto the sector late within the recreation, and was ultimately tacken down by about 20 stewards.
The present incarnation of Bafana are extremely unlikely to win the Afcon within the Ivory Coast subsequent 12 months, however this was a actually confidence-boosting win for Hugo Broos and his facet forward of the continental showpiece.
There was not so much using on this Group Ok match within the sense that each these sides had already booked their ticket to the Ivory Coast earlier than kick off, however beating the World Cup semifinalists remains to be no imply feat, and this was an Atlas Lions facet that got here to Johannesburg with lots of their stars from Qatar.
Bafana began the sport nicely, with Percy Tau and Thapelo Morena linking nicely down the appropriate hand facet.
One cross from Morena was cleared by Morocco, whereas some good maintain up play by Lepasa then noticed Tau surging into the field, however his cross was additionally blocked.
Bafana’s opener within the 6th minute got here by way of an absolute present from Morocco’s goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui, given a uncommon likelihood by head coach Walid Regragui, forward of World Cup hero Yassine Bounou.
Tau’s cross from the appropriate was completely innocuous, however utterly unchallenged, El Kajoui let the ball slip via his fingers and into the web. Even Tau seemed barely embarrassed, however the objective was merited within the sense that Bafana had grabbed this recreation by the scruff of the neck.
Bafana, certainly, may have gone into half time with extra objectives to their identify. In the 12th minute, Lepasa’s cross was fired goalwards by Mihlali Mayambela, however this time El Kajoui made save.
Themba Zwane then arrived within the space to fulfill a Mayambela cross within the twenty third minute, however the Sundowns veteran lacked his standard composure and snatched at his shot.
Zwane turned supplier three minutes earlier than the break, organising Lepasa, however he shot straight at El Kajoui.
Despite boasting lots of their star names from abroad, Morocco had been flat, misplacing an uncommon quantity of passes and failing to point out a lot of the dynamism they displayed in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions’ finest transfer of the half got here within the 16th minute, as Sevilla’s Youssef En Nesyri arrange Jawad El Yamiq, however his shot from the sting of the field was nicely saved by Ronwen Williams.
West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd additionally headed a free kick from Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech large in first half stoppage time, but it surely was Bafana who continued to shine after the break, doubling their lead within the 48th minute.
Zwane surged ahead with goal and slotted a go to Mayambela, whose shot was blocked by El Kajoui however Lepasa was there to faucet the ball house and embark on his ‘aeroplane’ celebration.
Lepasa nearly added to his tally within the 56th minute, however his shot was tipped away by El Kajoui.
Morocco lastly sparked into life, and Ziyech conjoured up a beautiful objective, reducing in from the appropriate and sending a vicious left-footed shot previous Williams.
The recreation was out of the blue way more tense, although Teboho Mokoena, who had a beautiful recreation general, may have eased the strain as he received possession on the sting of the Moroccan penalty space ten minutes from time, and with solely El Kajoui to beat, blasted over the bar.
Then got here the pitch invasion, and a frantic interval of stoppage time, the place Williams needed to make yet one more save, punching the air and celebrating with the group. Bafana will not be again by any means however at the very least they’ve a little bit of bounce.
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