THURSDAY, 10.30AM:
A LAST-minuite goal by Ivory Coast substitute Ahmed Quattara sealed a 1-1 draw for the Elephants and denied Bafana Bafana three championship points, meaning the South African national squad’s chances of making the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations are now up to the numbers.
South Africa now lie in a precarious second on the Group C log, with two points from two games to the Ivorians’ four points. Bafana Bafana, the reigning title holders, now look to Thursday’s match between Namibia and Angola. If Namibia, who beat Bafana Bafana 3-2 in a Cosafa Cup match a fortnight ago, beat Angola, the SA squad will more than likely be on an early flight home.
But caretaker coach Jomo Sono remains upbeat: “Being an optimist I still feel it may not be over just yet. This result means that we must now pray that Angola and Namibia draw.”
SA’s opening goal against the Ivorian Elephants came in the seventh minute after midfielder Brendon Silent placed the ball in the goalmouth from the right flank, right under the feet of Pollen Ndlanya, who was fouled by defender Siliou Lassassi. Helman Mkhalele pounded the penalty home to put Bafana Bafana into a 1-0 lead.
Bad luck kept the South Africans from scoring on several occasions as they kept up their attack in the first half. Both Nlanyana and John “Shoes” Moshoeu saw brilliant shots deflected by the woodwork. In a game of constant ups and downs, new goalkeeper Brian Baloyi became the unofficial man-of-the-match as he kept his side in the game in the second half in the face of a relentless counterattack by the Ivorians, whose superior stamina came to the fore.
When Quattara latched onto a cross from the right in the 87th minute and outjumped the defence to send the ball home, the Ivorians earned a well-deserved equaliser.
South Africa’s next game is against Namibia on Monday, and they must win to ensure a place in the next round.
Outsiders Guinea held World Cup qualifiers Cameroon to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, boosting their chances of a place in the quarterfinals. With the Indomitable Lions 2-0 up at half-time, Guinean Souleymane Oulare netted twice in the second half to ensure the draw, and made himself the compatition’s top scorer so far, with three goals to his credit.