At the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa head coach Hugo Broos was left red faced as the Bafana Bafana dropped a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Liberia. South Africa had numerous chances, but couldn’t take them and were punished by a hard fighting Liberia side.
“There is so much disappointment and anger in my body. If I should say now what I think, it might not be nice. Today is very difficult,” said the tactician, as he briefly summed up his feelings from a disappointing evening.
Lyle Foster’s first half double had given South Africa a comfortable cushion, but the Lone Stars of Liberia fought in the second half with substitute Mohamed Sangare scoring at the stroke of 90 minutes, after Tonia Tisdell’s freekick had brought them within reach.
Liberia’s head coach Ansumana Keita was delighted with the result.
“This is my first international game as head coach of Liberia and my first huge game against a big opponent. There were a lot of critics, but now the critics are backing us,” the tactician said after masterminding the comeback.
He added; “It was a tough game, South Africa are a good side and play good football, but the game is about 90 minutes We were here to compete and we competed. I told my players at halftime to keep calm, focused and just go. I am happy we got the result.”
Bafana had raced to a 2-0 lead within 22 minutes. Foster broke the deadlock after nine minutes from the penalty spot after Percy tau was brought down by the keeper inside the box.
The Burnley forward doubled the tally in the 22nd minute when he sneaked in a header at the near post from a Teboho Mokoena corner. South Africa had more chances with Bongokuhle Hlongwane hitting the outside of the post one on one with the keeper, before Tau also missed a sitter.
South Africa thought they had a third in the 52nd minute, but tau’s freekick was cancelled as he took it direct when the referee had put his hand up for an indirect freekick.
Having dodged the bullet, Liberia put in a fight and they halved the deficit in the 68th minute when Tisdell’s freekick curled in from the left foot trickled past two Bafana defenders and the keeper.
They kept the fight and were rewarded when Sangare struck a sublime shot from range, keeper Ronwen Williams completely beaten.
Both Liberia and South Africa are on one point from two matches and with Morocco already qualified in the three-team Group K, pressure is on Bafana to battle for the single remaining slot.

cafonline