Ghana continued their demolition act on a lacklustre South African team when they destroyed Bafana Bafana 2-0 in a crucial World Cup 2006 qualifier at the FNB stadium on Saturday.
The skillful and determined Ghanaians, who moved to the top position in Group Two, also embarrassed Bafana Bafana in their first game in Kumasi last year, beating them 3-0.
Ghana, who were placed third before Saturday’s game, achieved their fourth win in eight games while second-placed Bafana Bafana suffered their third defeat. They have scored five wins.
The two countries have the same number of points — 15 each — but Ghana is at the top of the group because of goal difference. Ghana have 11 goals and have conceded only six, while Bafana Bafana have netted 10 times and conceded nine.
There were no goals in the first half, although Bafana should have taken an early lead in the 13th minute when striker Shaun Bartlett converted a through pass from Stephen Pienaar. Ghana got better and better as the match went on, forcing three corner kicks before the interval.
Bafana Bafana, who were cheered on by 45 000 loyal fans, came close to scoring but John Pantsil denied Lerato Thabangu a goal in the 52nd minute, clearing Thabangu’s attempt off the line.
That was enough to spur the Super Eagles into the next gear. Stephen Appiah crossed inside the penalty box where Matthew Amoah was well-positioned to push home a low shot inside the net in the 60th minute. It was a well-deserved goal for the visitors, who were by this time in full control of the match.
As pressure mounted on Bafana, they conceded their sixth corner kick in the 65th minute, but Ghana failed to add to the score.
As coach Stuart Baxter brought on Siyabonga Nomvete in the 69th minute, Bafana Bafana began showing renewed signs of urgency, taking the game to their opponents, with Nomvete and Pienaar spearheading most of the moves.
But the Ghanaians were equal to the task. Both Bafana and Ghana spent quality time huffing and puffing about the field. Lucky Lekgwathi committed a cardinal sin, fouling a Ghanian striker a few metres outside the penalty area in the 89th minute. Appiah scooped the ball inside the box and Michael Essien converted, making it 2-0.
It was a disastrous defeat for Bafana Bafana, who are now in a must-win situation against Burkina Faso (September 2) and Congo (October 7). – Sapa