Bafana Bafana will not be travelling to Russia for the 2018 World Cup after losing 2-0 against Senegal in Polokwane on Friday night.
Photo from SAFA
South Africa had to win the clash
to qualify for football's biggest showcase, but a goal by West Ham striker
Diafra Sakho and an own-goal by Thamsanqa Mkhize, both before half-time, dashed
their hopes.
Bafana Bafana are bottom of Group D, seven points behind leaders Senegal.
There is one round left to play.
South Africa beat Senegal 2-1 in
Polokwane last November, but FIFA ordered a replay because of "match
manipulation" by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who was banned for life.
Speaking after the match, coach
Stuart Baxter said he strongly believed his team would win.
"Based on our performance in
the first half, it was amazing that we went 2-0 down because I thought we were
better than them".
"We missed our chances. In
the second half, I still thought we created more chances than they did. But all
that talk doesn't mean anything as they beat us 2-0 and they go to Russia".
Bafana now only has pride left to
play for, when the team faces Senegal again in the return leg qualifier in
Dakar on Tuesday.
