Bafana Bafana suffers crushing defeat
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup campaign went from bad to worse in a matter of days after Cape Verde completed a shock double in matches South Africa was expected to gain all six points.
Ironically, Bafana Bafana lost both matches and gained no point from the two games leaving them with slim chances of reaching Russia 2018.
South Africa’s chances of going to Russia had already taken a huge knock with the 2-1 away defeat last Friday and with the islanders smelling blood, went for it from the word go.
Needing to win to remain in contention, Bafana Bafana were the first to threaten with Hlompho Kekana and Tokelo Rantie coming close in quick succession.
First, Kekana saw his long range shot go wide before a close attempt by Rantie narrowly missed the target in the 9th and 10th minutes respectively.
Cape Verde then showed their intent with their own raids as they showed they had not come to sit back and rely on counter attacks.
The match became a ding-dong affair thereafter with both sides manufacturing gilt edged chances.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele made a maze run from his area but was foiled when he was about to pull the trigger in a period in which Bafana Bafana applied sustained pressure.
Bradley Grobler had a chance soon after but his header lacked power after being set up by Sifiso Hlanti as the home team maintained pressure.
In the 37th minute, Kekana rifled home a screamer of a shot but missed the target by inches with the visitors’ keeper well beaten.
Grobler had a shot saved by Dias and Cape Verde replied immediately winning a corner kick which failed to yield the desired results.
The visitors started like a house on fire in the second half and created the first clear opportunity seconds after the restart. This was the first warning which the home team failed to take note of.
Rantie then came close on the 49th minute but his rasping shot narrowly missed the target.
Cape Verde duly took the lead in the 52nd minute after Morgan Gould had conceded a free kick in the danger area and Rodrigues’ stinging shot gave Sandilands no chance. The goal meant South Africa had to chase the game.
Despite taking the lead, Cape Verde continued to ask questions and Mendes had a clear chance on the 63rd minute but somehow shot over the bar.
Rodrigues completed his brace with another stinging drive on the 66th minute as Bafana Bafana dropped their heads.
Substitute Andile Jali then connected to reduce the arrears in the 89th minute but it was a question of too little too late.