Penalty Heartbreak And Missed Sitters: Bafana Fire Blanks In Disappointing Soweto Send-Off
It was possession without penetration for Bafana Bafana as they were held to a disappointing goalless draw by lowly ranked Nicaragua at Orlando Stadium on Friday in a FIFA World Cup warm-up match.
Bafana did everything they could, throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at their opponents, but lacked the cutting edge needed to find a breakthrough goal.
It was a frustrating evening for the sparse crowd in Soweto, with Bafana Bafana hoping to build confidence ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which begins in two weeks.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos made several changes to his side, handing a debut to Olwethu Makhanya, who partnered Ime Okon in central defence.
Thabang Matuludi, who has previously featured for Bafana Bafana in the COSAFA Cup, was deployed at right back, while Samukele Kabini slotted in at left back to complete the defensive line.
Themba Zwane, fresh from signing a new contract extension with Mamelodi Sundowns, was handed a starting role and captained the side.
One could understand Broos’ decision to field Zwane against a nation ranked 131st in the world in order to give the veteran midfielder more minutes ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Zwane has endured an injury-disrupted season with Sundowns, although he still lifted the CAF Champions League trophy last weekend.
The 36-year-old playmaker should have crowned his return with a goal on Friday, but missed a gilt-edged chance from six yards out early in the game following a cutback from Matuludi.
Nicaragua largely camped inside their own half, with Bafana Bafana dominating the early exchanges and pinning the visitors back for long periods.
Nicaragua coach Juan Cruz Real was animated on the touchline throughout the match, at times leaving his technical area, forcing fourth official Skhumbuzo Gasa to repeatedly usher him back towards the dugout.
As Bafana continued to press, they were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Kamogelo Sebelebele was brought down by Cano Espinoza.
Referee Martin Mokete from Lesotho pointed to the spot, but Lyle Foster — whom Broos is hoping to help rediscover confidence after Burnley’s relegation in England — smashed his penalty against the crossbar.
The former Orlando Pirates striker, playing at a familiar venue, cut a dejected figure afterwards, knowing it was a missed opportunity to win over the supporters and boost his own confidence.
Broos responded at the start of the second half by introducing Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, and Thapelo Maseko.
However, the challenge remained the same — finding a way through a Nicaragua side content to sit deep and absorb pressure.
It was an important test for Bafana Bafana, who are likely to face similarly defensive opposition at the World Cup and will need to find solutions against teams willing to defend deep.
Although Bafana were left frustrated despite dominating possession, they will still have time to improve before their final friendly match against Jamaica on 29 May, with the venue in Mexico yet to be confirmed.
South Africa will then open their World Cup campaign against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June, with the eyes of the football world firmly fixed on the occasion.
