Soccer

Listless Bafana fail to break down stubborn Namibia

An experimental Bafana cannot get previous the Brave Warriors.

Bafana Bafana merely didn’t present sufficient inventive know-how as they have been held to a goalless draw by Namibia in a world pleasant at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Brave Warriors got here to Soweto and weren’t actually that brave in any respect, Collin Benjamin’s aspect preferring to sit again and defend.

Hugo Broos’ aspect, nevertheless, are seemingly to face opposition like this within the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers and even within the Africa Cup of Nations finals subsequent 12 months.

And they are going to have to give you some extra ingenious methods to break down sides content material to sit deep and pounce on errors from the opposition. They may additionally have to play a extra thrilling model of soccer if they’re to carry the followers again to video games, particularly friendlies like this, with a sparse crowd inside the bottom on Saturday.

Hugo Broos went for a barely experimental aspect, together with Veli Mothwa taking the place of Ronwen Williams in aim, which means Siyanda Xulu was handed the captain’s armband.

Lyle Foster, contemporary off his tremendous kind at Burnley within the English Premier League, led the assault, flanked by Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng and Portugal-based Kabomelo Kodisang, making his Bafana debut.

In midfield, Broos picked a defensive three, maybe a bit of cautious for this type of recreation, Sphelehle Sithole, Grant Margeman and Bathusi Aubaas all getting an opportunity.

Bafana dominated possession however too typically their passing lacked ahead pondering, with too many balls performed with out sufficient intent throughout the park.

Namibia have been typically content material to sit again and play off Bafana errors, with South Africa’s backline providing up a few alternatives.

In the 4th minute, Nkosinathi Sibisi gave the ball away after which collided with Innocent Maela, permitting Absalom Ilmbondi a transparent run on aim. The Brave Warriors striker, nevertheless, dragged his shot nicely broad.

Foster confirmed indicators of his sheer tempo and ability within the opening half, within the 7th minute skipping away from two gamers and sending in a low cross that was cleared to Aubaas on the sting of the field. The Sundowns man fired in a shot that Chippa United’s Lloydt Kazapua palmed straight into the trail of Kodisang. The broad attacker, nevertheless, kicked skinny air as an alternative of the ball.

Saleng additionally had a shot saved by Kazapua, however within the 25th minute, Bafana nearly conceded after some extra ramshackle defending.

A mistake on the sting of the realm allowed Betuel Muzeu a transparent run at aim, and his shot was half-stopped by Mothwa, after which cleared off the road by Maela.

Bafana began to enhance because the half wore on, and 4 minutes earlier than the break, some extra pleasant ability from Foster arrange Saleng, however his shot was nicely saved, through a deflection, by Kazapua at his close to submit.

Broos made three modifications on the break, bringing in Lebo Mothiba for his first Bafana look in about 4 years, rather than Foster, whereas Mlungisi Mbunjana acquired his Bafana debut in midfield, at 32 years-old, with Sithole making method.

There was additionally a swap on the again, with Grant Kekana approaching for Xulu.

Bafana, nevertheless, battled to discover the depth with which they completed the primary half, giving little service to Mothiba.

Namibia had one other probability when Orlando Pirates’ Deon Hotto discovered house down the left and arrange Ilmbondi, however his shot was deflected broad.

Broos introduced on Kaizer Chiefs’ Pule Mmodi and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Aubrey Modiba as he appeared for a winner, however Bafana weren’t profiting from their possibilities. Saleng confirmed some good touches along with his head that wowed the group, however then he handed the ball out of play, which didn’t.

Bafana did have an opportunity within the final two minutes of regular time, Grant Kekana’s effort fantastically tipped over by Kazapua. But in the long run it was all huff and no scoring puff from Broos’ males.


Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button