Senegal extended their unbeaten streak against South Africa to three matches as they controversially won 3-2 in the Nelson Mandela Cup played at the Epru Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
In hindsight, the victory went to a side who did very little in the mandatory 90 minutes except to take advantage of the generous offerings from referee and fellow countryman Falla Ndoye.
The killer goal by Momar Ndiaye in the 83rd minute, which came from a momentary lapse of concentration by the South African defence, was the only real piece of foraging that the Senegalese did.
South Africa had done enough to gain themselves a rare win in a disappointing year that saw the hosts fail to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany next year and continue a nine-match winless record.
However, South Africa produced a near-flawless and clinical performance that will certainly have many fans anticipating greater things from the team in next year’s African Cup of Nations in Egypt. But the match epitomised the cruel nature of sport as Senegal waited and pounced at vital moments to secure themselves yet another win over the much-vaunted South Africans.
The opening goal came under dubious circumstances as Souleymane Camara’s dab did not seem to cross the line in the third minute, but Ndoye allowed the goal to stand, even though he was far from the action and obscured by a few players.
South Africa fought back valiantly, and five minutes later deservedly equalised through Sibusiso Zuma who latched on to a cross from Elrio van Heerden.
Then the tide turned South Africa’s way as the hosts played some enterprising football, enjoying hordes of ball possession and gaining much in the territorial stakes.
Unfortunately for Bafana Bafana, they could not convert their time on the ball into goals, which seemed to strangle South Africa psychologically and served to motivate the Senegalese.
And in another moment of madness by the inconsistent Ndoye, Senegal were awarded a free kick just on the edge of the South African penalty area.
From the resultant saved penalty shot from Pape Bouba Diop, Diomansy Camara headed the ball into an open net to give Senegal the lead again with the South African defence still in knots.
Looking like a bunch of adolescents after receiving a tongue lashing, South Africa began the second half with plenty of purpose and were duly rewarded with a well-taken strike from Siyabonga Nomvete in the 83rd minute.
Bafana, however, then played like they were comfortable with the draw and let their foot off the pedal, resulting in Senegal devilishly stealing the game away with Ndiaye’s dissecting run.
Ndiaye looped the ball over the advancing Rowan Fernandez, which silenced the thousands of fans.
South Africa’s play was suggestive of a team that were hungry for victory but failed to lift themselves for the big occasion. — Sapa