MONDAY, 1.30PM:
SOUTH AFRICAN national coach Clive Barker has warned other continents not to underestimate African sides in next year’s World Cup finals in France. He said Africa will be a continent to be reckoned with.
Barker said this after Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 loss to World Cup hosts France in Lens on Saturday night. “There won’t be any easy contests against African sides in the World Cup,” said Barker.
South Africa were the first to score through Shaun Bartlett in the 40th minute. American-based Bartlett received a pass from co-striker Phil Masinga, rounded the French goalkeeper and fired a low shot into an empty net.
Bafana Bafana enjoyed most of the ball possesion in the first half with debutant defender Willem Jackson the pillar of strength at the back. But the French came back strongly in the second half and introduced midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who immediately took control of the midfeild.
It came as no suprise when debutant Stephane Guivarc’h and substitute Ibrahim Ba put the ball at the back of the net to give the home side victory over the African Champions.