Bafana Bafana reach Afcon quarter-finals
BAFANA Bafana reached their first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in 11 years in dramatic fashion with last night's fighting 2-2 draw against Morocco at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
A spectacular match that swung in fortunes four times will go down as the best of the tournament so far.
Importantly, SA qualified as Group A leaders, which means they should face DR Congo or Mali, rather than Ghana, in the quarters.
In truth, last night Bafana might have conceded more than Issam El Adoua and Abdelilah Hafid's 10th and 82nd-minute strikes. But what was important was that, in coming back from a goal down twice, the host nation showed unbelievable fight, passion and pride.
May Mahlangu and Siyabonga Sangweni's magical 71st-minute and 87th-minute equalisers will be remembered for years to come.
Gordon Igesund bravely kept the same attacking starting line-up from the side that beat Angola 2-0 here on Wednesday, including striker Tokelo Rantie, who recovered from his ankle injury.
Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 against Cape Verde on Wednesday, notably dropping the disappointing pair of Liverpool wing Oussama Assaidi and Fiorentina forward Mounir El Hamdaoui.
In their most nervous start to the tournament Bafana had to contend with a Morocco who came out flying.
The sleeping giants of the tournament until last night, the Atlas Lions moved the ball with breathtaking speed.
Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was particularly shaky at the start but also saved his team on two occasions in the first half.
In the 10th the hesitant keeper was out-jumped by El Adoua to Barrada's corner, and the Morocco defensive midfielder's header bounced into goal to stun the crowd.
Khune made his second rescue when Chafni Kamal was played onside on a counter-attack by Sangweni and the keeper, 20 metres outside his area, somehow pulled off the challenge.
The South Africans had been out-paced and out-muscled by the fiery Moroccans in the first half.
Igesund introduced Thulani Serero for Katlego Mphela just after the break. Soon after, Thuso Phala's free-kick forced an excellent save from keeper Nadir Lamyaghri.
In the 59th Khune made a third superb save.
Bafana were showing fight at the other end with a host of half-chances. Then in the 71st the stadium, and the country, erupted with a masterful goal from Mahlangu. Skilful all evening, the playmaker collected the ball just outside the area from Rantie, turned and curled the strike of the tournament into the top-right corner.
Bafana's defensive fragility let them down again in the 82nd when substitute Hafdi was allowed acres of space to bury Youssef Kadioui's chip as Morocco regained the lead.
But big central defender Sangweni, out of nowhere, popped up on the left and produced a delicate shot, placed beautifully to the right of Lamyaghri, that the world's leading midfielders would have been proud of.
Bafana show fight, passion and pride
Bafana Bafana reach Afcon quarter-finals
BAFANA Bafana reached their first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in 11 years in dramatic fashion with last night's fighting 2-2 draw against Morocco at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
A spectacular match that swung in fortunes four times will go down as the best of the tournament so far.
Importantly, SA qualified as Group A leaders, which means they should face DR Congo or Mali, rather than Ghana, in the quarters.
In truth, last night Bafana might have conceded more than Issam El Adoua and Abdelilah Hafid's 10th and 82nd-minute strikes. But what was important was that, in coming back from a goal down twice, the host nation showed unbelievable fight, passion and pride.
May Mahlangu and Siyabonga Sangweni's magical 71st-minute and 87th-minute equalisers will be remembered for years to come.
Gordon Igesund bravely kept the same attacking starting line-up from the side that beat Angola 2-0 here on Wednesday, including striker Tokelo Rantie, who recovered from his ankle injury.
Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 against Cape Verde on Wednesday, notably dropping the disappointing pair of Liverpool wing Oussama Assaidi and Fiorentina forward Mounir El Hamdaoui.
In their most nervous start to the tournament Bafana had to contend with a Morocco who came out flying.
The sleeping giants of the tournament until last night, the Atlas Lions moved the ball with breathtaking speed.
Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was particularly shaky at the start but also saved his team on two occasions in the first half.
In the 10th the hesitant keeper was out-jumped by El Adoua to Barrada's corner, and the Morocco defensive midfielder's header bounced into goal to stun the crowd.
Khune made his second rescue when Chafni Kamal was played onside on a counter-attack by Sangweni and the keeper, 20 metres outside his area, somehow pulled off the challenge.
The South Africans had been out-paced and out-muscled by the fiery Moroccans in the first half.
Igesund introduced Thulani Serero for Katlego Mphela just after the break. Soon after, Thuso Phala's free-kick forced an excellent save from keeper Nadir Lamyaghri.
In the 59th Khune made a third superb save.
Bafana were showing fight at the other end with a host of half-chances. Then in the 71st the stadium, and the country, erupted with a masterful goal from Mahlangu. Skilful all evening, the playmaker collected the ball just outside the area from Rantie, turned and curled the strike of the tournament into the top-right corner.
Bafana's defensive fragility let them down again in the 82nd when substitute Hafdi was allowed acres of space to bury Youssef Kadioui's chip as Morocco regained the lead.
But big central defender Sangweni, out of nowhere, popped up on the left and produced a delicate shot, placed beautifully to the right of Lamyaghri, that the world's leading midfielders would have been proud of.
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