South Africa’s men’s football team, the Bafana Bafana suffered another embarrassing 2 -1 defeat to Cape Verde, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, all but ending their hopes of representing the continent at football’s biggest showpiece at the 2018 Soccer World Cup in Russia. Cape Verde added salt to injury following the 2 -1 defeat of the rainbow nation on Friday at Praiaon Friday.
South Africa’s chances of being among five African countries to were somewhat spoilt following a surprise 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in Praia on Friday. Bafana started brightly and managed to carve out a chance after nine minutes but Tokelo Rantie fired wide of the upright with only Dias to beat.
Despite close to 59% of the possession in the first half, Bafana could not break the deadlock before half-time with both teams deadlocked at 0-0. The second half saw Cape Verde have an early chance but indecision between their players ruined any chance of a goal after South Africa's defence was caught in disarray.
And then Cape Verde silenced the crowd at Moses Mabhida with a free-kick of the highest quality by Garry Rodrigues which swerved over the wall and wrong-footed Sandilands to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute. Baxter responded by introducing by introducing Lebogang Manyama for Zwane three minutes later.
However, the crowd at Moses Mabhida were stunned once again in the 67th minute when Rodrigues cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable effort that sailed into the top corner. Andile Jali managed to reduce the effort in the 89th minute as he drilled home a low effort from 18-yards out.
Bafana threw everything forward in the closing in search of an equaliser, but they were unable to carve out another chance as Cape Verde held on for the win.
With the defeat South Africa now drop to the bottom of the table.
