South African Football Association (Johannesburg)

South Africa/Equatorial Guinea: Bafana Bafana Draws Against Equatorial Guinea

6 January 2012

Bafana Bafana training for a match (File Photo) (Photo Courtesy BuaNews)

Bafana Bafana played to a goalless draw against Equatorial Guinea in an international friendly match played at the new Estadio de Bata. The clash was used to open the venue which will be used for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Bafana Bafana started brightly-bin a match attended by the president of the country, but could not find the net, and it was goalless at the break.

This was South Africa's first game of the year and it clearly showed, more son as they were playing with five new caps - Brilliant Khuzwayo, Eric Mathoho, Ayanda Gcaba, Granwald Scott and May Mahlangu.

In the second half head coach Pitso Mosimane rang some changes bringing on debutant Ryan Chapman and Siyabonga Nontshinga for Scott and Bradley Grobler respectively.

The duo made their presence felt about ten minutes later and combined for South Africa's best chance of the match, with the opposition goalkeeper doing his best to stop the danger.

Tempers flared in the 62nd minute, leading to the match being stopped for about five minutes. In the process, captain of the day Morgan Gould was red-carded.

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Mosimane gave more caps to Wayne Arendse, Nazeer Allie and Mzikayise Mashaba who replaced Daylon Claasen, Siboniso Gaxa and George Maluleka respectively.

Shortly before the final whistle South Africa suffered their second red card when Mosimane was given the marching orders.

"I do not even want to talk about that incident, as I believe it was mistaken identity by the referee. But I must commend my players they did very well under the circumstances - even though they had to break short their holiday to be with us, sacrificing family time. We had only two training sessions, used eight uncapped players on a heavy pitch. It's quite an achievement as they were tactically disciplined especially when we were a man short. They showed the will to fight for their country. I would like to thank all, those clubs that came to our rescue when we had no players," said Mosimane.

Bafana Bafana return to South Africa on Saturday, 7 January 2012, the squad is expected to land around 07h00.

Tagged: Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Soccer, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sport

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