Bafana drop more points in qualifiers
Bafana Bafana took another blow in their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they drew 1-1 with Botswana in their Group A match in Gaborone on Saturday.
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The visitors dominated the first half and could have been a few goals clear, but again poor finishing cost the South Africans.
In the first game under interim coach Steve Komphela, they created countless chances in the first 45 minutes.
Bafana scored first in the 14th minute through Morgan Gould, but the home side levelled matters seven minutes before the break with a Ofentse Nato finding the back of the net.
South Africa, who drew their opening qualifier against Ethiopia lalst week, will now face an uphill battle to finish top of their group, with only one spot available to advance to the next stage of qualification.
Earlier, in perfect conditions the game began at a frenetic pace.
Anele Ngongca was first to cross the ball into the home side's area but Botrswana goalkeeper keeper Kabelo Dambe had it covered.
The hosts came close to scoring in the fourth minute from a free kick.
The headed attempt came in from Ndiyapo Letsholathebe which ricocheted off the crossbar.
Katlego Mphela had his first shot in the ninth minute, but the scuffed attempt was wide of goal.
Siphiwe Tshabalala had a strike cleared off the line by Nato to deny the South African playmaker in the 12th minute.
Two minutes later, however, the visitors went ahead.
From a pin-point corner, courtesy of Steven Pienaar, Gould obliged with a header that had the beating of the Botswana keeper, to make it 1-0 to South Africa.
Mphela then began to dominate the Botswana defence with a flurry of attempts.
The best came in the 23rd minute when he forced a good save from a free kick 25 metres out, as Bafana looked to double their lead.
The home side began to take control of the clash after the first half hour, and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 38th minute when Nato capitalised on a rebounded shot.
Eight minutes after the break, Tshabalala had a trademark left-footed curling shot tipped over the post from a strike heading for the top-left corner of the net.
On the hour mark, with what would have been his first touch, substitute Tokelo Rantie raced Dambe to the ball with the keeper managing to tip the ball out for a corner.
Another probing set piece from Pienaar in the 64th minute saw Gould with a free header that just missed the target.
With 11 minutes left, Teko Modise, who came on just after the break, wasted a golden opportunity, unmarked in the box, as he wildly launched his shot over target.
Teams
Botswana: Kabelo Dambe, Assane Ndiyae, Patrick Motsepe, Joel Mogorosi, Lemponye Tshileretso, Mmusa Ohilwe, Mogakolodi Ngele, Mompati Thuma, Ofentse Nato, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Jerome Ramatlhakwane
Bafana: Itumeleng Khune, Anele Ngcongca, Punch Masenamela, Morgan Gould, Bongani Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Oupa Manyisa, Steven Pienaar,Thanduyise Khuboni, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Katlego Mphela
