The South Africa’s under 23 national soccer side was held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Côte d’Ivoire come back in their opening Group B Confederation of African Football under 23 Championships at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Sunday evening.
Baby Bafana had held the lead for most of the game courtesy of a first-half header from striker Phumelele Bhengu in the 22nd minute, completing a Rodney Ramagalela cross on the right hand side edge of the box.
Having kept the danger for majority of the second-half, and with South Africa having been reduced to 10 players, the Ivorians netted the equaliser through substitute forward George Griffiths in the 84th minute.
Baby Bafana’s defensive effort that had been noticeably stretched by the time Griffiths stabbed home from close range. In the crucial central midfield role, they lost Thami Sangweni, who was sent off for a second bookable offence after 52 minutes as the team went on to lose shape.
This includes surviving a controversial penalty on the hour mark awarded by Moroccan referee Bouchaib Al Ahrach when Eric Mathoho was adjudged to have fouled Vamouti Diomande in the box.
The defender, though, had looked to have made a clean tackle inside the box. Goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo kept his team in play with a brilliant save to deny midfielder Jean Michael Seri’s spot kick, diving to his right-hand side.
There was a late scare as well as the Ivorians surged forward for a late winner, captain Sibusiso Mxoyana had to clear off the line in the dying moments as the South Africans continued to back-peddle.
The better team
South Africa were hardly a threat in attack in the latter half, particularly after the bustling Ramagalela had to be sacrificed after 60 minutes for Khulekani Madondo with coach Shakes Mashaba looking at beefing up the middle of the park.
It was contrast to the first 45 minutes where they edged out their opponents by displaying better composure and maintaining superior ball possession, with Ramagalela and Thandani Ntshumayelo displaying impressive moves.
This is despite the Small Elephants creating the first chance at goal with striker Kevin Beugre shooting wide in the opening minutes after a cross on the left from Diamande.
Their second best opportunity came in the 30th minute with midfielder Wakalible Lago’s attempted shot inside the box not having enough power to trouble Khuzwayo. Earlier at the same venue, Egypt collected the opening three points on offer, beating Gabon 1-0 to lead in the group standings.
A win for Baby Bafana would have seen them level on points with the North Africans — the two favourites to clinch the semifinal spots from the group.
The South Africans’ next fixture is against Gabon, a match they might have to win to stand chance of passing through to the last four stage of the competition, while the Egyptians take on the Ivorians on Wednesday.
A win for Egypt could ensure them a place in the semifinals of the final 2012 Olympic qualifier round.
The competition finalists and the winner of the third and fourth place match will progress to the London Games next year with the losing semifinalist entered into a play-off tie against an Asian Federation country. — Sapa