14 November 2019 – Bafana Bafana went down 2-0 to the Black Stars of Ghana in the first match of the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at a packed Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.
The clash took place on Thursday, 14 November with two goals on either side of the half by Thomas Partey and second half substitute Mohammed Kudus.
This was the 12thmeeting between the two nations and Bafana Bafana started on the back foot, as they took long to get out of the blocks.
Ghana captain Jordan Ayew threatened the visitors’ goal as early as the 10thminute but Ronwen Williams saved the danger.
Striker Bradley Grobler should have put South Africa in the lead a few minutes later following a goalmouth scramble but he ballooned his shot.
The visitors were forced into an early substitution in the 26thminute when midfielder Bongani Zungu limped off from after twisting his knee – it is still unclear if he will be ready for the clash on Sunday (17 October) against Sudan at Orlando Stadium.
Thapelo Morena replaced Zungu.
After knocking several times on the Bafana Bafana door, Ghana took the lead in the 35thminute with a low long-range shot by Partey that gave Williams no chance.
South Africa was again slow off the match in the second half as they withstood pressure from the hosts who were looking to increase their lead.
Head coach Molefi Ntseki then introduced Lebogang Mothiba and Kermit Erasmus in search of an equaliser – both taking the places of Grobler and Thembinkosi Lorch respectively.
Instead it was Ghana who found the second goal after defender Thamsanqa Mkhize was dispossessed by Mohammed who powered his way to goal and unleashed a powerful shot that beat Williams at the top corner.
However much they tried, Bafana Bafana never got close to goal with Ghana’s defence standing firm and fighting for every ball.
In the end, South Africa lost 2-0 in Ntseki’s first competitive match of his tenure, starting the qualifiers on the back foot.
The victory sees Ghana occupy second place in the group, while Sudan sits at the top after beating Sao Tome e Principe 4-0 on Wednesday (13 November).
Bafana Bafana wasted no time after the match and headed off to Accra for a short sleepover and will travel back home in the morning.
They are expected to land in Johannesburg at on Friday, 15 November at 17h25 to start preparations for their second match of the qualifiers.
They take on Sudan on Sunday, 17 November 2019 at Orlando Stadium.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
Ghana will be away to Sao Tome on Monday, 18 November.
This is how they lined up:
Ghana:
Ofori, Yiadom, Mensah, Aidoo, Nuhu, Baba, A. Ayew, Partey, Duncan, J.Ayew, Boateng.
South Africa:
Ronwen Williams (GK), Thamsanqa Mkhize, Thulani Hlatshwayo (c), Buhlebuyeza Mkhwanazi, S’fiso Hlanti, Dean Furman, Bongani Zungu (Thapelo Morena),Thato Mokeke, Percy Tau, Bradley Grobler (Lebo Mothiba), Thembinkosi Lorch (Kermit Erasmus).
Subs:
Darren Keet (GK), Erick Mathoho, Thapelo Morena, Innocent Maela, Mosa Lebusa, Lebo Phiri, Mothobi Mvala, Lebo Manyama, Thulani Serero, Aubrey Modiba, Lebo Mothiba, Kermit Erasmus.
Not in match day squad:
Ricardo Goss (GK)
Kamohelo Mokotjo
Coach: Molefi Ntseki
STANDINGS:
Group C
| P W D L Pts | ||||||
| 1. | Sudan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2. | Ghana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3. | South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4. | Sao Tome and Principe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Match Officials:
Referee: Mustapha Chorbal (Algeria)
1stAssistant: Bouabdallah Omari (Algeria)
2nd Assistant: Mokrane Gourari (Algeria)
4thOfficial: Abderazzek Arab (Algeria)