/ 29 March 2007

Bolivia beat Bafana Bafana for rare away win

Bolivia won their first away match in three years when they beat 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa 1-0 in a friendly played at Ellis Park.

Joselito Vaca’s 19th minute goal brought South Africa back down to earth after they had won their first match under new coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in Chad in the African Nations Cup qualifiers at the weekend.

The goal came after a comedy of defensive errors as captain Aaron Mokena fell flat on his face trying to clear and Macbeth Sibaya, attempting to provide cover succeeded only increasing the ball on the legs of Vaca and into the goal.

South African striker Surprise Moriri had the ball in the net with a shot from the edge of the box but it was not allowed because the referee had already blown for half-time.

The hosts, whose new coach experimented with six second half changes, squandered several chances to equalise, notably from Danish-based Siyabonga Nomete who headed over the top from close range near the end.

Bolivia’s last away win was against Honduras in a friendly played in Washington in October 2003. – Reuters