Themba Zwane missed a penalty as Bafana Bafana were defeated 2-1 by Senegal at the Stade Leopold Senghor on Tuesday night, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Baxter made two changes to his side that succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against the Lions of Teranga in the first leg qualifying encounter last Friday, which saw Senegal qualify for the World Cup.
Senegal: Gomis, Mbodji, Kouyate, Wague, P. Ndiaye, Sabaly, A. Ndiaye, Gueye, Niang, Nguette, Sow.
Bafana XI: Khune (c), Mkhize, Hlanti, Daniels, Gould, Furman, Zungu, Zwane, Tau, Dolly, Vilakazi
The home side started the brighter of the two teams and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early stages of the encounter.
South Africa came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Morgan Gould got on to the end of a cross in the area, but the defender’s volleyed effort sailed over the crossbar.
A fierce midfield battle ensued with neither side’s goalkeeper really being tested. Percy Tau had his protests for a penalty waved away in the 26th minute.
The visitors should have taken the lead in the 37th minute when Keagan Dolly did well to set up Sibusiso Vilakazi, but the Mamelodi Sundowns man could only direct his effort straight at the goalkeeper, with Dolly unable to convert the rebound.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes.
The second half started in similar vein to the first, and it wasn’t long before the home side took the lead when Nguette fired home into an empty net in the 55th minute from 25 yards out after goalkeeper Khune came rushing out.
Bafana were gifted an opportunity to restore matters six minutes later when they were awarded a penalty, however Themba Zwane fired his penalty well wide of the upright.
Tau, did however fire home two minutes later to put South Africa level after collecting a pass from Dolly.
The goal spurred the visitors to look for another goal. Andile Jali was introduced in the 71st minute for Zwane, while Manyama replaced Vilakazi late on.
Senegal secured a late winner, courtesy of a 92nd minute winner by Mbodji.
-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za
Photo: Gallo Images
