Madagascar knock Bafana out of Cosafa Cup
Madagascar beat South Africa 4-3 on penalties in their Cosafa Cup quarterfinal at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.
Andriamirado Hasina of Madagascar and Matlhari Makaringe of South Africa during the 2018 COSAFA Cup quarter final match between South Africa and Madagascar at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 03, 2018 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
South Africa dominated the chances in their game and should have been at least a couple of goals up by halftime, but were dragged into penalties by a Malagasy side that was organised and structured in their play.
Luther Singh took South Africa’s fifth penalty in the shoot-out, but his tame effort was easily saved by Madagascan goalkeeper Jean Dieu Randrianasolo and Tobisoa Sandratriniain stepped up to put the islanders into the semifinals.
The home side created an early opportunity when Singh played a clever free-kick low into the path of Lebogang Maboe, but the midfielder’s first-time shot went just wide of goal.
The home side had an even better opportunity on 20 minutes when Ryan Moon’s delightful ball over the top of the Madagascar defence set Singh free one-on-one with Randrianasolo, but he disappointingly shot straight at the gloveman.
It took 33 minutes for Madagascar to have their first effort on target, but Jaotombo Bourahim shot over from the edge of the box.
Maboe had another fantastic chance to score when beat the offside trap and found himself with only Randrianasolo to beat, but like Singh before him, shot straight at the keeper and it would end goalless at the break.
South Africa almost found the opener when Aubrey Modiba’s shot from the edge of the box had the beating of Randrianasolo, but not the crossbar and Mosiatlhaga was unable to get the rebound on target.
Monday will be a rest day in the competition, but South Africa will be back in action against Namibia in their Plate semifinal at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday. That match kicks-off at 5pm (3pm GMT).
