Bafana Bafana ended the 2017 Gabon Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a rather disappointing draw against a 10-man visiting Mauritania in a match played at Mbombela Stadium on Friday, 2 September 2016.
Bafana Bafana……..(1) 1
Mauritania………..(1) 1
Bafana Bafana ended the 2017 Gabon Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a rather disappointing draw against a 10-man visiting Mauritania in a match played at Mbombela Stadium on Friday, 2 September 2016.
After a rather uninspiring start to the game, Mauritania took a surprise lead in the 17th minute through captain Guideye Dialo whose low shot beat Itumeleng Khune as the shell-shocked hosts could not believe what had happened.
However, Bafana Bafana picked up the pieces and were soon on level pegging from a corner kick as Hlompho Kekana rose unchallenged in the box to make it 1-1.
The goal by the Sundowns captain changed the complexion of the game as Bafana Bafana took the game to the visitors but lacked the vital cutting edge in which Thamsanqa Gabuza, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Mpho Makola wasted some gilt-edged chances.
It was the same story in the second half whereby Bafana Bafana literally camped in Mauritania’s half but lacked ideas in front of goals.
The home side was given a lifeline midway through the second period after a Mauritania defender had handled in the box but Gabuza’s poor penalty was easily saved by Mauritania reserve goalkeeper Abdoulaye Gueye.
Bafana Bafana finish the Group a disappointing third with seven points behind Cameroon and Mauritania.