Bafana almost have it in the bag, but share points in Ouagadougou

A lapse of concentration at the back cost Bafana Bafana three points in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso here on Saturday.

Bafana were on their way to a victory after Dean Furman had given them the lead 10 minutes from time, but Banou Diawara had the final say with a goal which left Shakes Mashaba asking his players what went wrong at the back.

This is, however, a positive start from the team and they need to make sure they win their home game against Senegal next month, to make sure they do not fall behind on the standings.

Bafana's preparations ahead the game were not ideal, having to train on an artificial pitch on Wednesday after travelling for over 24 hours via Abidjan to get to Ouagadougou, where they were welcomed with open arms by the locals. The following day a swarm of bees forced them to change their training venue and start an hour later, but the players were never really affected mentally by any of this.

Eager to make up for missing out on qualifying for next year's Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana made a fairly good start and sent out an early warning with a Mpho Makola long range effort which should have at least been on target, considering he was given time and space to shoot. The visitors passed the ball around comfortably in the early stages but they were robbed of their early momentum when the Stallions were awarded a penalty in the 10^th minute.

Midfielder Abdou Razack Traore danced his way past the Bafana players with a run from midfield, before his attemped shot met the palms of Mulomowandau Mathoho. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, but the Burkina Faso supporters were left stunned when Itumeleng Khune got down to his right to make a save from Jonathan Pitroipa's spot kick.

Pleased with the effort from his goalkeeper, Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba waved and clapped his hands to say well done to the shot stopper.

Let off the hook by the hosts, Bafana had an opportunity to make Burkina Faso pay for the unconverted spot kick, but Hlompho Kekana's header was well saved by goalkeeper Koffi Herve in the 16^th minute. Bafana were guilty of giving the Stallions too much space on the wings to attack, but Khune came to the rescue with three more good saves in the first half, including one from point blank range in the 37^th minute, as the match went into the break goalless.

Makola had a good first half for Bafana with a couple of shots at goal, but the same cannot be said for Eleazar Rodgers, who started the game ahead of Thamsanqa Gabuza upfront.

Rodgers, who has not played a game for Bafana since 2008, did not put enough pressure on the Burkinabe defenders.

There was a lot of drama in the final stages of the game. Furman first gave Bafana the lead in the 80^th minute. Mashaba wanted to bring on Gabuza, but changed his mind and brought on Abbubaker Mobara, as he wanted to protect the lead.

Burkina Faso, however, were given an opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a penalty, but Alain Traore blazed his effort over the bar.

Diawara then rescued the day for the Stallions with a close range finish. Bafana should have really done better to clear the ball.