Bafana restore pride with win Goals from Simphiwe Tshabalala and Luyolo Nomandela secured a 2-0 victory for South Africa over Burkina Faso in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It was one-way traffic for the locals as they entered the break with a goal advantage courtesy of Tshabalala, before second half substitute Nomandela secured the victory. The fixture was the second match of the Nelson Mandela Challenge after Bafana Bafana fell 2-0 to Nigeria in the Durban on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day the Bafana legends fell to the same scoreline to the Italian Masters. As a result, Gordon Igesund’s side came into the game on a mission to restore some pride and they threatened in the sixth minute. Bongani Zungu back-heeled the ball into the path of David Mathebula, but the SuperSport United midfielder’s attempt went well over. It was a positive start for Bafana as they dominated play along the channels and it didn’t take long before the home side grabbed the lead in the 22nd minute. Siphiwe Tshabalala showed his prowess in front of goal when he grabbed the ball and turned on it to fired it into the bottom left hand corner. It was his 12th goal in the national shirt. With a bee in their bonnet, South Africa were itching for the second and it was David Mathebula’s cross to Bernard Parker which forced Mohammed Kabore to make a save with both hands four minute later. Then, in the 44th minute, Buhle Mkhwanazi did well to clear away Cyrille Bayala’s cross into the area, before Reneilwe Letsholonyane’s shot hit the inside of the post. South Africa strolled into the break with a lead they knew they should have capitalised more on with their chances, but the introduction of the second half saw the visitors come out with more possession and flare. But it was Mohammed Kabore who made the save of the match off Parker’s header 13 minutes after the restart, before Tshabalala curled his effort over the angular of the bar from eight yards out in the 61st minute. Mark van Heerden, who was making his debut for Gordon Igesund’s side, rattled the crossbar with his stunning free-kick in the 72nd minute. Adama Zerbo then tried his luck with six minutes to go, but it sailed wide of Itumeleng Khune’s goal - the Amakhosi ‘keeper having little to do throughout the fixture. Luyolo Nomandela made it 2-0 for the home side when he tapped in Lerato Chabangu’s ball, which occurred after a goalmouth scramble, at the goal-line to secure Bafana Bafana’s first win since their victory over Lesotho.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 16:08:14 +0000
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