WEDNESDAY, 1.00PM:
BAFANA BAFANA won their warm-up friendly match against Free State XI 1-0 in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night. Midfielder Doctor Khumalo scored from a penalty spot after being brought down by defender Charles Montloung in the 53rd minute.
Bafana Bafana attacked early in the first half and Eric Tinkler was unlucky when his shot hit the post after a well-taken corner kick by Khumalo. Goalkeeper Mark Anderson was forced to make a save when Bunene Ngaduane curled a free kick in the 23rd minute.
In the second half Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker brought in strikers Shaun Bartlett and Mark Williams for Brendan Augustine and Pollen Ndlanya respectively. Goalkeeper Brian Baloyi came in for Mark Anderson. Later in the game Turkey-based midfielders Helman Mkhalele came in for Isaac Shai and John “Shoes” Moshoeu for Clinton Larsen.
Meanwhile, South African Football Association CEO Danny Jordaan on Tuesday said Safa does not know when the Congo team will be arriving in the country. Congo will play against South Africa at FNB Stadium in a do-or-die World Cup qualifying match on Saturday. Congolese soccer officials, who arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesady, did not know either. “At times I’m inclined to believe they [Congolese soccer officials] don’t know themselves when the players will be arriving,” said Jordaan. He said Safa had already secured adequate accommodation for the Congolese, meanhile, the Congolese soccer officials have told Safa that they will be happy to make their own arrangements — fearing possible reprisals for the hostile reception Bafana Bafana received in Congo in their first encounter earlier this year.