South Sudan lose to Bafana Bafana in final lap of AfCON 25’ tour
By Liam Josh
qualifiers, with both teams lining up in the same formation of 4-4-2, in a match was geared for formality as both teams had squared their fate in the championships.
South Africa had already booked their fate successful and qualified for the Morocco-set games, while South Sudan were elbowed out of the tournament, after Uganda won and qualified in the group.
The visitors started the game very well in the opening minutes of the game as they possessed 53% to South Africa’s 47%.
The Bafanabafana looked so strong at home as the crowed fired their team up. They got a goal on the 7th minute through Iqraam Reiner’s opener. Morena caused problems for the South Sudanese defenders as he tried to add another goal against the rival visitors.
The South Sudanese goalkeeper was kept busy in thwarting some balls away but he could not prevent the Bafanabafana from adding their second of the night within just 22 minutes.
Maswanganyi reacted fast to pounce on a lose ball following Mawith’s fumble and tapped in to make it 2-0 for the home side.
There was a serious blockade against South Sudan as they are cornered into a cave in terms of possession, with Bafanabafana recording a ball possession of 83% against Bright Stars’ 17%.
Juma was the only player for the visitors who tried to make a break for South Sudan but the ball was cleared away by Ngezana from danger on the 31st minute.
South Africa’s coach Broos expressed happiness for his sides’ performance, having made seven shots on goal compared to the opponent’s.
The second half started in a bad note for the visitors as Bafanabafana worked with the ball around patiently with Mudau and Mokoena prominent in the builds-ups.
South Africa added their third after Mudau was brought down in the eighteenth yard box for a penalty and Mokoena blasted the ball into the net, making it 3-0 for South Africa on the 50th minute.
Observers say the hosts wasted a lot of chances. South Africa and Uganda are safe now, having both qualified for the 2025 African Cup of Nations Championship in Morrocco. The Bright Stars, on the other hand, had their best try at the qualifiers, and despite losing to make it, beat the Congo Brazaville in Juba before heading to South Africa.
