Bafana defies history
Goals from Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie in either side of half-time secured South Africa's passage to next year's Africa Cup of Nations after beating Sudan 2-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
South African senior national football team, Bafana Bafana defied history and denied Nigeria an opportunity to participate in next year’s African Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament. The bitter rivals played to a 2-2 draw in the final match of the competition’s qualifier on Wednesday night.
Two goals from Bafana’s speedy striker Tokelo Rantie added to an impressive match played at Uyo in Nigeria. Bafana had already qualified for the continental football showpiece after their victory over Sudan at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The reigning Afcon champions, Nigeria, needed a win to ensure their spot at the competition. Next year’s Afcon tournament will take place in Equatorial Guinea, after the initial hosts, Morocco, pulled out, citing Ebola fears.
Bafana finished as leaders of Group A, with Congo finishing second after they beat Sudan 1-0. In an exciting match that saw Nigeria attacking with full force, Bafana’s striker and former Orlando Pirates player Rantie scored an excellent opener. Rantie’s goal came after a defence splitting run from the left flank, before he produced a high shot past Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama and hit the back of the net. The goal saw South Africa lead 1-0 at the break.
The Ephraim Shakes Mashaba’s side then stunned the hosts as Rantie scored a brace, a few minutes into the second half. Rantie, who plays for the English side AFC Bournemouth, caused havoc with the Nigerian defenders before he shot low past the goalkeeper to increase the lead. However, the Super Eagles, came back in full force, no doubt helped by the sending off of Kaizer Chiefs’ midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane for a second bookable offence.
Nigeria’s Sone Aluko scored twice – including in the referees’ optional time – to deny Bafana a much-needed victory over Nigeria. But, a draw wasn’t enough for the Super Eagles as coach Stephen Keshi’s team was dumped out of the competition. The final draw to pit the remaining teams against one another will be held on 3 December.
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