OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 5.30pm.
SOUTH Africa have won the Mandela Cup friendly match against Egypt by 2-1.
After closing the first half on one goal each, the second half got off to a slow start, with the pace broken by several substitutions on both sides.
There were a couple of missed opportunities on both sides, with Bafana Bafana goalie Hans Vonk keeping his side out of trouble.
But then in the 73rd minute a free kick by Quintin Fortune was tipped into the goal by Benni McCarthy to take Bafana Bafana into the lead.
A last-minute substitution by the Egyptians, followed by a free kick was to no avail, and the final whistle blew with Bafana bafana 2-1 ahead. Wednesday 4.20pm:
ONLY a misunderstood free kick in injury time by Quintin Fortune kept South Africa from a 2-1 half-time lead. Fortune put it straight into the net but it was an indirect kick.
Despite a slow start, South Africa controlled and picked up the pace, equalising on a smooth piece of Benni McCarthy footwork in the 39th minute. The Ajax striker took a cross meant for Masinga, turned his nemesis Abdelhady around and left him sprawled in the box, and eased the ball passed the Egyptian keeper.
Egypt had taken the lead on a quick Hossam Hassan bicycle shot after some precision passing in front of Bafana Bafana’s Hans Vonk. A fantastic series of passes in the 33rd minute culminated in a skillful goal by the Egyptian captain.
The even score is due to South African domination of midfield, unusually good passing and a blistering volley by Thabo Mngomeni in the 30th minute which almost gave Bafana Bafana an early lead.
Egypt also fouled over twice as often as SA, 14-6 in the first half, with a yellow card rightly given defender A Hassan in the 41st minute for tossing Carnell to the pitch like Steven Seagal.
15