A goal from a cross from Henyekane by Katlego Mphela in the 65th minute gave Bafana Bafana a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in an international friendly at the GWK Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon. Besides this good news, the rest of the match was a rather boring affair.
I think South African fans have a right to be worried, that our National Football Team looks so unmotivated and uncohesive, lumbering along. OK the surface was a bit bumpy, but come on; these are all really talented, professional soccer players. They just do not be able to seem to get it together as a team and they seem to have no real motivation or pride.
43rd Minute Penalty was not a Penalty
And that penalty in the 43 minute against Madagascar stopper Kandy – from where I was sitting it was clearly outside the goal area and in my books, that is not a penalty.
Kandy however was yellow carded by Botswana referee Joshua Bondo. Maybe justice was served when he saved the resulting penalty attempt from Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala. Is Tshabalala the best spot kicker in the team?
Lucky Win for Bafana Bafana
And we can count this win a bit lucky, because at seven minutes to go, the Madagascans hit the post late in a very close goal. A shot from the right eluded Baron and came back off the post, striking the arm of Siboniso Gaxa as a Malagasy striker chested the ball back towards goal, but curiously, referee Bondo signaled a foul that only he saw.
In the words of football365.co.za “As the match spluttered to an anti-climactic end, it once again became clear that this is a side light-years away from putting up a respectable showing at the World Cup. Bafana may have won, but the manner of the victory and yet another unconvincing performance will do very little to silence critics of Joel Santana. “
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good game
Who are Madagascar in the soccer world????
Oh yes I remember, They are someone we can just manage to beat!