Bafana Bafana were knocked out of the COSAFA Cup 7-6 on penalties by the Zebras of Botswana after this quarter-final match had ended goalless in the regulation 90 minutes.
Bafana Bafana were knocked out of the COSAFA Cup 7-6 on penalties by the Zebras of Botswana after this quarter-final match had ended goalless in the regulation 90 minutes.
It was a painful elimination after the home team had made all the running in the first and second half but were found wanting upfront where the strikers took opportunities to fluff a host of chances.
Bafana Bafana made a bright start forcing two corner kicks in the opening 10 minutes but Botswana easily dealt with the danger.
Tlou Segolela threatened with some magical footwork moments later but his end product was cleared to safety by the visitors.
In a game of few chances in the opening minutes, the game got bogged down in the middle of the pitch although Bafana had a slight upper hand.
The best chance of the afternoon fell to Phumelele Bhengu midway through the first half but the striker failed to connect from a Thapelo Morena cross with five minutes to go to half time.
At the stroke of half-time, captain Jakson Mabokgwane pushed a dangerous shot for a corner in Botwana’s only serious attack throughout the first half as the two teams went to half time deadlocked at 0-0.
In the second half, Bafana Bafana threw everything into the attack and created a couple of chances which were spurned by the attackers.
Bafana again forced numerous corner kicks in the second half with van Heerden kicks proving tricky in the box as something threatened to give in.
With eight minutes to go, Carl Lark was unfortunate not to have found the back of the net with a glancing header as the match headed to penaltes.
Carl Lark and Kwanda Mngonyama missed their penalties as Bafana went out of the tournament.
Bafana Bafana Starting 11: Jakson Mabokgwane (c), Siyabonga Nhlapho, Kwanda Mngonyama, Clayton Daniels, Marc Van Heerden, Carl Lark, Thamsanqa Sangweni (Madisha 87th min), Thapelo Morena, Tlou Segolela, Gift Motupa, Phumelele Bhengu (Nyanda 71st min)
Subs: Mondli Mpoto, Ricardo Goss, Motjeka Madisha, Sibusiso Khumalo, Sibusiso Mxoyana, Pule Ekstein, Mduduzi Nyanda, Lebogang Manyama
Botswana: Dambe, Gadibolae, Gaolaolwe, Ncenga, Koobake, Legwaila, Nato, Boy, Kgaswane, Kebatho, Tshireletso