Bafana Bafana Put Namibia To The Sword To Keep Last 16 Hopes Alive

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JOHANNESBURG: A first-half brace by Themba Zwane and a penalty by Percy Tau killed off the spirits of the Brave Warriors.

Bafana Bafana bounced back brilliantly from their 2-0 loss to Mali by beating the neighbouring Namibia 4-0 in their second 2023 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group E match last night at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo City, in Ivory Coast.

A first-half brace by Themba Zwane and a penalty by Percy Tau killed off the spirits of the Brave Warriors in what was an emphatic win for Hugo Broos’ men. Coming to the match with their backs against the wall, Bafana Bafana had to win in order to have a shot at the last 16 heading to the last Group match against Tunisia.

Broos made two changes to the eleven that started against Mali, bringing in Mamelodi Sundowns defencer Grant Kekana, who replaced Siyanda Xulu, to form an all Sundowns back four that comprising him, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala and Khuliso Mudau. In addition, he had brought in Thapelo Morena, who replaced his Sundowns teammate: Thapelo Maseko.

Interestingly, eight Sundowns players started the match. Accordingly, South Africa began the match like they had a point to prove against Namibia, who shocked Tunisia 1-0 in their opener of the tournament. Bafana’s positive start yielded results as they were awarded a video assistant referee (VAR) checked penalty just around the quarter-hour mark.

Al Ahly’s front man Tau stepped up again, as he did against Mali and this time he made no mistake, thereby giving South Africa the lead in the 14th minute. Incidentally, Tau had missed the penalty against Mali.

The goal woke the Brave Warriors, who then ventured forward in search of an equaliser through their danger men, Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto, who ply their trade in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for Sundowns and Orlando Pirates respectively.

Their new found impetus nearly resulted in two goals, but Namibia did not make use of their chances and they were dearly punished minutes later. Zwane scored his first of the night on the 25th minute and completed his brace on the 40th minute.

Taking a 3-0 lead to the break meant that Bafana Bafana can breathe a huge sigh of relief in the second half and finish off the match without taking many risks. Although the lead was healthy, Bafana Bafana did not take the foot off the gas pedal.

They searched for more goals and the fourth goal eventually came courtesy of substitute Maseko. The win has not only kept hopes of making it to the last 16 alive, but also boosted the confidence of the players heading to the final match against Tunisia on Wednesday, 24 January.

Bafana are second on the group, but equal on points with the third-placed Namibia on three points each, Mali leads the group with four points and Tunisia is at the bottom with a single point. South Africa needs to beat Tunisia on their last match or play to a draw and hope that Mali defeats Namibia in the other match to have a place in the last 16.