adminThe points were shared between South Africa and Mali in their second Group A CAF African Nations Championship match at Cape Town Stadium yesterday as the game ended 1-1. Bernard Parker opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana from the penalty spot in the first half before a second half goal from Ibourahima Sidibe saw the spoils split.
The result means both teams are on four points in Group A and are not assured of qualification for the knockout stages just yet. Bafana started very positively and were passing the ball about the park beautifully early on as they controlled the possession stakes.
The home side created their first chance on goal in the eighth minute as Siphiwe Tshabalala let fly with a 22-yard shot, but he saw his low grass-cutter well-saved by the keeper. Three minutes later and Mali had their first real attempt on goal as Lassana Diarra met a corner-kick with a fierce right-footed volley from eight-yards out, but his shot went just wide of the goal.
In the 13th minute Tshabalala was in the action again with another long range attempt, but this time his curling effort from 25-yards out skimmed the wrong side of the crossbar.
Six minutes later Tshabalala played Lindokuhle Mbatha into space on the right flank. The midfielder worked his way into the box, beating one defender before firing a powerful 16-yard shot straight at the goalkeeper. — Soccer Laduma.
Online Reporter