South Africa reach football final

MAPUTO — South Africa qualified for the All-Africa Games football final by defeating Senegal on penalties Tuesday after a 0-0 draw at Maxaquene Stadium in the Mozambican capital.

By (AFP)

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Tue 13 Sep 2011, 11:37 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 8:17 AM

‘Baby Bafana’ won the shoot-out 6-5 when goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo made a superb save to thwart Ba Ibahima Yigo and they will face defending champions Cameroon or Ghana in the decider at the national stadium Saturday.

“I think the boys showed some mettle,” boasted South African coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba after the tense semi-final while acknowledging his team missed chances.

South Africa dominated the first 45 minutes without converting their advantage into goals.

Senegal won more possession in the second half and almost snatched a winner in stoppage time but Niasse Baye Oumar failed to convert a close-range chance.

Extra time took its toll on exhausted footballers in 34-degree-centigrade heat and the standard of play slipped despite the encouragement of spectators.

Senegal goalkeeper Malick Traore was twice unlucky in the shoot-out, touching the ball without being able to prevent it entering the net.

He also had a save disallowed as the referee ruled that he moved forward off his line before Sibusiso Mxoyana kicked the ball.


More news from