RUSTENBURG July 4 (ANA) – Bafana Bafana won through to the Plate Section final of the 2017 COSAFA Cup after defeating Botswana 2-0 at the Moruleng Stadium on Tuesday night. The South Africans led 1-0 at half-time.
Having lost to Tanzania in the Cup quarterfinals on the weekend, Bafana dropped down to the lower tier part of the competition. The victory, and the spot in a consolation final, will certainly be a morale-booster for coach Start Baxter as he continues to run the rule over some of the country’s fringe players.
Baxter rang the changes for the Botswana clash, making no less than seven changes to the team that started against Tanzania.
Bafana got off to a great start and dominated the early exchanges. Nduduzo Sibiya made his presence felt with a superb through-ball for Mohau Mokate, but the striker was unable to get on the end of it.
Botswana struggled to keep the South Africans in check and resorted to some tough challenges in an attempt to intimidate their opposition.
Something had to give, though, and Bafana duly took the lead in the 33rd minute when an excellent passing move put Riyaad Norodien into space and the Orlando Pirates winger fired in an unerring, unstoppable shot into the net.
Bafana should have increased their advantage just before the break when, again, Sibiya created the opening for Mokate, but the attacker fired wide of the target.
Baxter brought on Cole Alexander in the 60th minute, to replace Thabo Cele, and the midfielder almost made an immediate impact. His energy and willingness to put the defence under pressure created some uncertainty and it needed a timely intervention from Botswna goalkeeper Mwampole Masule to foil the substitute.
Botswana, however, had finally got their game together and they mounted some serious attacking moves in search of an equaliser. Kabelo Seakanyeng tried his luck from range but fired straight at Bafana goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
Botswana then had their best opportunity of the game in the 67th minute when Simisani Mathumo thundered in a spectacular shot, but he was denied by a great save from Bvuma. Lemogang Maswena also had an opportunity to get Botswana back into it, but he headed his effort wide.
In the end, though, the makeshift Bafana team kept their shape well and dealt effectively with whatever Botswana threw at them. And, with the opposition pouring forward in desperation, they were open to a counter-attack and in the dying moments Bafana capitalised when substitute Judas Moseamedi scored to make it 2-0.
The South Africans will face either Namibia or Swaziland in Friday’s final. – African News Agency (ANA)
