OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Sunday 4.00pm.
THE South African national under-23’s managed to pull off a gutsy 2-0 win over a neber-say-die Ugandan outfit to claim the bronze medal in the All-Africa Games at the Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday.
The South Africans lost 1-0 to Zambia in the semi-finals on Friday, and the bronze will be a consolation and balm to their bruised pride. The South African youngsters played with determination and zest throughout the matchand had the Ugandans backed up for much of the first half. Particularly effective was the attack of Nkhosinathi Nhleko, Jabu Pule, Siyabonga Nomvete and midfielders Abram Nteo and Steve Lekoelea.
The Ugandans, to their credit, started the game with guna-a-blazing and the South African defence had to keep their wits about them from the kick-off.
Apart from the early flurry, the Ugandans did not look to be a major threat and their defences were easily breached by the South Africans.
Pule scored the first goal in the 18th minute when he finished spectacularly from a cross supplied by Nhleko.
The Ugandans hardly had time to reorganise, when the second goal slapped into the back of the net. This time Nhleko slammed the ball in after being fed from a Nteo header.
After the goals, the Ugandans became unsettled, and it was only through luck and sloppy finishing that the Kobs were not at least 3-0 behind at half-time.
After the break the Ugandans looked like a team reborn, but solid defence kept their efforts at bay.