Dean Furman celebrates with Bongani Khumalo. Photo: Gallo Images
South Africa secured a 4-1 win over neighbours Botswana in their 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Kermit Erasmus and Dean Furman scored in the first half before Bernard Parker added a brace after the break, while Jerome Ramatlhakwane scored the consolation goal for the Zebras.
However, the convincing win was not enough for Bafana Bafana as they finished second in Group A behind Ethiopia, who defeated the Central African Republic 2-1 in Brazzaville.
The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute when Kagisho Dikgacoi broke the defence into the centre of the penalty area, but he was denied by a good block from Kabelo Dambe, who reacted quickly to stop a second attempt from the midfielder.
Eleven minutes later Bafana Bafana were awarded a freekick on the right when Erasmus was tackled from behind. Siphiwe Tshabalala fancied his chances from the set-piece, but his curled effort sailed just over the crossbar.
The opening goal arrived in the 28th minute from Tshabalala’s corner-kick which was flicked on to the far post, allowing Erasmus to come in late to send his header into the roof of the net, 1-0.
The home side came close to doubling their lead just three minutes later when Tokelo Rantie found Bernard Parker inside the penalty area, but his powerful strike was parried wide by Dambe.
Then in the 38th minute Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune was forced to make his first save of the match, standing strong at the near post to parry an effort from Joel Mogorosi, who had made a great run on the right.
Gordon Igesund’s men continued to threaten and eventually doubled their lead in the first minute of added time when Parker released Furman on the right, who managed to beat Dambe with a low shot that went in off the inside of the far post, 2-0. – Backpage TXT
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