Siyabonga Sangweni of South Africa celebrates goal during the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between South Africa and Angola at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on 23 January 2013 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Bafana Bafana will play Mali in the second quarter-final on Saturday at the majestic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Siyabonga Sangweni’s late equaliser against Morocco at Moses Mabhida last Sunday sealed qualification for South Africa while Mali held off Democratic Republic of Congo in a 1-1 draw at the same venue on Monday night.
Bafana exceeded all expectations by finishing top of Group A ahead of Cape Verde, Morocco and Angola. With two draws and a win Bafana finished joint on points with Cape Verde but with a higher goal difference. They kicked off their campaign with a drab 0-0 draw against Cape Verde before Gordon Igesund rang some positive changes and a 2-0 win followed against Angola with Bafana needing only a draw against Morocco to qualify for the last eight. Morocco went in front after a 10th minute Itumeleng Khune error, before May Mahlangu equalised with an exquisitely curled effort into the top corner with less than 20 minutes remaining. The North Africans then took the advantage again in the 82nd minute, before Orlando Pirates defender Sangweni netted his second goal of the tournament, bending in to the far post, to clinch a share of the points. Khune turned from villain to hero as the game progressed, saving three one-on-one chances from the Atlas Lions. The result and single point turned out to be a vital one as Cape Verde beat Angola 2-1 in a simultaneous pool match and a defeat would have put Igesund’s men out of the tournament. However, they showed incredible fighting spirit in front of a capacity 50,000 crowd at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and now remain in Durban where they have performed so admirably in their last two games. The returning Lehlohonolo Majoro will be making a case for selection after the front pairing of Tokelo Rantie and Katlego Mphela failed to score so far. Igesund will have to do without Anele Ngcongca, the right back suspended after picking up his second booking against Morocco. Siboniso Gaxa is his likely replacement.
Mali finished second in Group B behind Ghana with four points. They started their tournament with a 1-0 win over Niger but then faltered with a 1-0 loss against Ghana. They came into their final group match against DRC knowing that a draw would secure qualification. They got just that. Congo converted an early penalty but Mali levelled soon after and held out for the draw. Captain Seydou Keita was a commanding figure throughout. His composure, discipline and anticipation were influential as the Eagles held out against the dynamic but increasingly frustrated Congolese.
This match will be an exact repeat fixture of the 2002 AFCON quarter-final , which The Eagles won 2-0. That win was on home soil for Mali, coincidently enough on February 3. The defeat, which cost coach Carlos Queiroz his job, was the last time South Africa made it to the quarter-finals.
If Bafana are to make it past the Eagles they will have to put in a much improved display against a side who will want to build on their third place showing at last year’s finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Mali haven’t impressed so far in the tournament and with a capacity Durban crowd cheering on the host nation they are tipped for an inspired victory and a semi-final spot.
