MONDAY, 9.00AM:
BAFANA BAFANA have one foot in France, after their 3-0 drubbing of Zambia in the World Cup qualifier before a crowd of 61 000 at the FNB stadium on Sunday.
South Africa’s convincing three-goal victory will take them up against Congo on August 16 in their last qualifier before the World Cup in France next June. SA only need a draw against Congo to ensure their place in the World Cup finals. Congo beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Pointe Noire on Sunday.
South Africa took a tough stance and charged into the offensive right from the start — two goals came within the first 20 minutes. Helman Mkhalele scored the first goal in the eighth minute, off a pass from Phil “Chippa” Masinga, from 25 metres out. Masinga then went on to score his own goal, in the 16th minute. He was in place to receive the ball from Doctor Khumalo, and wasted no time in netting it.
SA coach Clive Barker said: “For the first 30 minutes there we looked like a real quality side then let things slide in the last 15 minutes of the first half. But when Mark Williams scored the third goal, Zambia were dead and buried.”
Substitute Williams’ goal came in the 74th minute, after a half-hour of tense playing, with Zambia trying hard to catch up the lead.
Five minutes before the end of play, a large section of the crowd stood up and screamed: “Bye bye Zambia!” and left the stadium to begin the celebrations.
Zambian coach George Mungwa said after the game: “Our dream is over. South Africa played very well and deserved to win.”