LIMBE, March 26 (ANA) – A long-range wonder goal by Hlompho Kekana which is set to be played over and over again on international platforms was not enough to give visiting Bafana Bafana all the three points over the Indomitable Lions as the match ended in a 2-all draw in Limbe, Cameroon, on Saturday afternoon.
After Bafana had taken the lead through regular goal-scorer Tokelo Rantie in the 17th minute, the home team equalised at the stroke of half time as the two teams went to break deadlocked at 1-1.
But soon after the break, Kekana turned on the talking point in these qualifiers when he turned defence into attack.
The big midfielder who has a knack of scoring spectacular goals spotted the Cameroonian goalkeeper off his line and from inside his area, unleashed a dazzling drive which sailed into the back of the net as the stunned home side were pegged back again.
It is a goal which will make the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder a hero among football lovers for years to come.
And the 50th minute Kekana goal seemed to inspire the visitors who toyed with the home side but failed to deliver the knock out punch.
They were made to pay for it as big defender N’Koulou headed the equaliser from a free kick in the 66th minute to set up a tantalising end of this pulsating encounter.
And it could have gone either way as towards the end of the match Thulani Hlatshwayo hoofed the ball off the line and from the resultant counter, substitute Thulani Serero was clearly pulled from behind inside the box as the match ended in a stalemate.
Bafana Bafana made the bright start and in the 17th minute, Makola threaded a great pass to Rantie who rounded off the keeper to score another impressive goal.
The reserved Bournemouth forward could have made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute when Andile Jali spotted him running through but he delayed to shoot and when he finally did, shot straight at the keeper.
That was going to be a costly miss as moments later Cameroon equalised with a long-range shot by Siani who beat outstanding Khune hands down.
Then came Kekana’s astonishing strike which football fans will speak about for years to come.
The two teams meet again on Tuesday at 19h00 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. – African News Agency (ANA)
