Canaan Mdletshe

South Africa's beach soccer national team Banana Banana were eliminated from this year's Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers by determined Nigerians after an end to end action on Saturday.

Nigeria snatched a tight extra-time victory over a brave South African team in the second semifinal 7-6 and earned themselves a place in the final against Senegal yesterday, with both teams qualifying for World Cup finals in Brazil later this year.

In the earlier semifinal, Senegal were too strong for Ivory Coast and got full value for their 9-3 victory.

Unlike the first match on Saturday, the second semifinal was a thriller, and it was unfortunate that the local team allowed the match to slip from their grasp after playing their hearts out the entire match.

Banana Banana should have themselves to blame for a loss after leading Nigeria for the better part of the match until big Nigerian striker, Gabrile Agu scored a last minute goal to send the match into extra-time.

Captain and former Bafana Bafana striker, Mark Williams said it was heartbreaking that they lost a match they should have won. Despite scoring four goals, Williams said South Africa needed to unearth more goal scorers if they are to challenge the top teams in the world.