The “Dream Team” gave the Senegalese a nightmarish sleep last night after qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics at the expense of the hosts and crashing their two-week, eight-nation CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations party.
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“Baby Bafana” goalkeeper Jody February stole the show, saving four penalties – three of them in the shoot-out after the match ended goalless.
The Ajax Cape Town shot-stopper showed glimpses of what he is capable off when he deputised for Anssi Jaakkola at the Urban Warriors when the Finnish keeper was suspended. Last night he lit a fire that had been absent for more than a decade, helping Baby Bafana qualify for the Olympics for the first time since the 2000 Sydney Games.
While February saved three penalties in the shoot-out, Gift Motupa, Menzi Masuku and Phakamani Mahlambi scored to save the blushes of Kwanda Mngonyama and Keagan Dolly, who missed theirs.
As third place play-offs go, this was one of the most entertaining with a lot to play for. The ticket to Rio spurred both nations on, with end-to-end stuff that saw them create good scoring chances.
February and Pape Ndiaye stood resolute in goals, squashing everything that came their way, but it was February who got his team to Rio.
But he had South Africans with their hearts in their mouths when he brought down Ismaila Sarr in the box despite Abbubaker Mobara being right on his shoulder in the second half.
However, February redeemed himself when he saved Moussa Wague’s penalty. The hosts missed the rebound with a shot that ricocheted off the bar to safety, much to the relief of February and Co in a defence that had buckled under pressure in the tournament.
There were a few learning experiences for the country, with the main one about preparation. For a change, sanity prevailed and the domestic league went on a break to accommodate the Under-23s in a tournament that doesn’t fall under the Fifa calendar, meaning clubs aren’t obliged to release their players for the qualifiers.
But where sanity lacked was to give this side sufficient game time. Their failure to qualify for the All-Africa Games didn’t help their cause as they would have played in a competitive environment in Congo with the best Under-23s on the continent, where Senegal were crowned champions.
However, that disappointment didn’t stop them as they march to Rio, where they will join SA women’s team Banyana Banyana in what will be a first for the country with two football teams in the Olympics.
SPORTs REPORTER
Senegal 0
South Africa 0
South Africa won 3-1 on penalties
Source :iol.co.za
