Shakes Mashaba was wearing his lucky shirt. But the Bafana Bafana coach will do his laundry at home in South Africa after his side failed to hold onto their slim lead, let alone add to it, to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
They had been the talk of the town with their attacking play, but they were again let down by not finding the back of the net.
Ghana came from behind to beat them 2-1 last night and book a place in the quarterfinals in Group C at South Africa’s expense, who finish bottom of this group of death.
Bafana had scored in the second half of their two games against Algeria and Senegal, but last night Mandla Masango, making his first appearance at the tournament, found the opener with a dipping volley to beat Ghana goalkeeper Braimah Razak.
It hadn’t been through their dominance in ball possession. Ghana were actually seeing more of the ball. However, Masango’s long-range stunner restored confidence that Bafana could progress.
Although the early lead eased the tension, Bafana soon gave it up, like they have done in all their games in this competition.
In the 72nd minute, substitute John Boye levelled – a result that would have seen both the Black Stars and SA head home. But Ghana pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and dangerman Andre Ayew struck the winner 12 minutes later.
Bafana never had their fate in their hands. What was even more disappointing was they hardly played like a side with that thought in mind. This was the worst performance at the Afcon for Mashaba’s men.
Needing to add to Masango’s first half goal and keep a clean sheet, especially after Algeria had twice breached the Senegal defence in Malabo in the other Group C clash, Bafana ditched their enterprising play from earlier matches for aimless balls that never found the target.
Mashaba’s starting line-up did not inspire confidence. The coach made four changes, bringing in goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo, defender Rivaldo Coetzee, winger Masango and striker Bongani Ndulula.
Again Mashaba decided to change the man between the sticks, omitting Jackson Mabokgwane from his line-up, while Thulani Hlatshwayo was forced out due to a concussion against Senegal a few days earlier.
Upfront Bafana needed some fresh thinking. But perhaps Mashaba had made the wrong move in giving Ndulula his first start in the Afcon.
Masango’s only contribution was a well-taken goal that he will remember for some time, while Ndulula had a match never to discuss again.
Ghana were seemingly content to go home until Boye – who came on for the injured Daniel Amartey – scored the equaliser.
Before then, Khuzwayo had been punching the ball away to safety and using his height advantage to protect Bafana’s lead.
You can’t be under such pressure for the entire 90 minutes. And the Bafana defence eventually cracked under pressure.
This young team had come here to “learn” and hopefully clinch the tournament as a bonus. However, Mashaba’s strange decisions in his line-up will be questioned.
Ghana shakes Bafana out
They had been the talk of the town with their attacking play, but they were again let down by not finding the back of the net.
Ghana came from behind to beat them 2-1 last night and book a place in the quarterfinals in Group C at South Africa’s expense, who finish bottom of this group of death.
Bafana had scored in the second half of their two games against Algeria and Senegal, but last night Mandla Masango, making his first appearance at the tournament, found the opener with a dipping volley to beat Ghana goalkeeper Braimah Razak.
It hadn’t been through their dominance in ball possession. Ghana were actually seeing more of the ball. However, Masango’s long-range stunner restored confidence that Bafana could progress.
Although the early lead eased the tension, Bafana soon gave it up, like they have done in all their games in this competition.
In the 72nd minute, substitute John Boye levelled – a result that would have seen both the Black Stars and SA head home. But Ghana pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and dangerman Andre Ayew struck the winner 12 minutes later.
Bafana never had their fate in their hands. What was even more disappointing was they hardly played like a side with that thought in mind. This was the worst performance at the Afcon for Mashaba’s men.
Needing to add to Masango’s first half goal and keep a clean sheet, especially after Algeria had twice breached the Senegal defence in Malabo in the other Group C clash, Bafana ditched their enterprising play from earlier matches for aimless balls that never found the target.
Mashaba’s starting line-up did not inspire confidence. The coach made four changes, bringing in goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo, defender Rivaldo Coetzee, winger Masango and striker Bongani Ndulula.
Again Mashaba decided to change the man between the sticks, omitting Jackson Mabokgwane from his line-up, while Thulani Hlatshwayo was forced out due to a concussion against Senegal a few days earlier.
Upfront Bafana needed some fresh thinking. But perhaps Mashaba had made the wrong move in giving Ndulula his first start in the Afcon.
Masango’s only contribution was a well-taken goal that he will remember for some time, while Ndulula had a match never to discuss again.
Ghana were seemingly content to go home until Boye – who came on for the injured Daniel Amartey – scored the equaliser.
Before then, Khuzwayo had been punching the ball away to safety and using his height advantage to protect Bafana’s lead.
You can’t be under such pressure for the entire 90 minutes. And the Bafana defence eventually cracked under pressure.
This young team had come here to “learn” and hopefully clinch the tournament as a bonus. However, Mashaba’s strange decisions in his line-up will be questioned.
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