ANDREW MUCHINERIPI at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg | Friday 10.00am.
South Africa (0) 2 (Steve Lekoelea 68, Siyabonga Nomvete 77) Algeria (0)0
STEVE Lekoelea is rapidly assuming the same role in South African soccer that David Beckham occupies with Manchester United and England.
While Beckham is an established master at curling free kicks into the roof of the net, the diminutive midfielder from former African club champions Orlando Pirates is catching up fast.
His goal midway through the second half of this All Africa Games Group 1 first-round match at the former home of South African soccer was a joy to witness and set his country up for an ultimately easy triumph.
The free kick was awarded slightly to the left of the posts and about 35 metres from Algerian goalkeeper Foued Cheriet with a well-populated wall midway between Lekoelea and his target.
Unperturbed, he struck the ball sweetly with his right foot and it
sailed through a gap in the wall and wide of the outstretched left hand of Cheriet before settling in the back of the net.
Suddenly, a dull match between teams struggling to string together more than three passes came alive and South Africa added a second goal 13 minutes before the shrill of the final whistle sounded.
A lob from substitute Hareaipha ‘Simba’ Marumo rebounded off the
upright and Siyabonga Nomvete reacted quickest to push the ball into the net under pressure from Cheriet and a defender.
Perhaps it was the altitude, but Algeria faded dramatically after matching the host nation during a pedestrian first half and captain Kheireddine Madoui spent more time complaining to the Cameroon referee than inspiring his men.