South Africa’s doomed campaign for the Olympic Games in Athens in August ended on Friday when AmaGlug-Glug narrowly beat Algeria 1-0 at Blida Stadium in Algiers.
There was no score at half-time. The first half was a boring affair and the local kids, who gained free entrance, chose to entertain themselves by beating drums on the grand stands.
Players from both countries, who are already out of the Games in Greece, just went through the motions.
The passion was gone, and the romance was over. It was not the kind of match that devoted soccer enthusiasts who ignored the freezing and drizzling rain deserved.
Fierce competition was expected from the Algerians, who needed to avenge their 4-1 defeat against the South Africans in their first game in December last year.
They shocked both Zambia and Ghana with narrow 1-0 victories in their home games in December and January respectively.
But the Algerians succumbed to the AmaGlug-Glug pressure,
The South African goal, a brilliant individual effort by Gift Leremi in the 54th minute, came as no shock.
The Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder left three defenders chasing their shadows before rifling a 20m grass cutter that went hissing inside the net.
Leremi, who was always available during the campaign, also controlled the engine room where he operated alongside Lucas Sekwale, Makhosonke Bhengu and Jonathan Greenfield.
The Sasol-sponsored AmaGlug-Glug, who registered their second win from five games, amassed six points. Both victories were against Algeria, who finished at the bottom of Pool D.
The Algerians have the same number of points as the South Africans but South Africa are ahead on goal difference.
A fierce battle is expected between Ghana and Zambia, who will meet in Accra on Sunday. The two countries are deadlocked for the first spot but the Ghananians are placed first due to their goal average. Only the winners in all four groups will participate in the Olympic Games in August. — Sapa