Bafana Bafana stun Black Stars
Bafana Bafana of South Africa climbed to the top of Group G table after beating Ghana’s Black Stars 1-0 in their World Cup qualifier at Johannesburg on Monday.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s goal on the 84th minute secured the maximum points for Bafana Bafana who were seeking revenge over the Black Stars for their 0-2 defeat in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Cape Coast Stadium earlier this year.
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It was a scrappy goal as the Black Stars defense lost concentration to allow Hlongwane to connect into the net after he was spotted from the flanks.
Coach Charles Akonnor had to play with a makeshift team after six of his key players were ineligible to travel to South Africa due to restrictions by the English Football Association on players who play in England.
Nevertheless, the Black Stars played a determined game in the first half but were unable to create any decent chances while the South Africans showed too much respect for the Stars.
Their brightest moment came when goalkeeper, Richard Ofori spilled a cross from Teboho Mokoena after it awkwardly bound in front of him but the rebound shot from Mothobi Mvala missed the target.
Percy Tau also called goalkeeper Ofori to duty only to beat him in the 37th minute with a fine header from a cross but it was flagged offside.
Evidence Makgopa could have shot the host in front after recess but shot wide after goalkeeper Ofori has let the ball slip from his hands and through his legs.
The South Africans appears to have found the antidote to Ghana and kept running at them but this time after the Black Stars failed to clear their lines from a cross which fell to Hlongwane in the six yard box which he tapped home for the only goal of the game.
