Bafana finish third at the 2023 AFCON tournament 

Bafana finish third at the 2023 AFCON tournament 

Bafana Bafana walked away with the bronze medal after a third-place finish at the AFCON in Ivory Coast. This is after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the tournament third-place play-off on Saturday night.

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams once again led from the front as he saved two penalties during the penalty shootout. He saved the final kick from Meschak Elia during sudden death to win the match for the South Africans.

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The South African senior men’s team captain has been reluctant to take credit for his heroics during the tournament. But will accept that his contribution was crucial.

The two sides created a number of opportunities during the match. With a bit of luck in front of goal, the match could have been wrapped up inside 90 minutes.

The game finished at 0-0 and went straight to penalties. After the two sides could not break the deadlock during regulation time, it was left up to Williams to once again step up to the plate and deliver.

THIRD PLACE FINISH FOR BAFANA BAFANA AT THE AFCON 

Williams kept his fifth clean sheet in a single AFCON and in the process broke former goalkeeper Andre Arendse’s record.

Bafana Bafana will return to South Africa in the coming days after a tough campaign that quietly began in January with a training camp in Stellenbosch.

Bafana through to AFCON semi-finals 

Bafana through to AFCON semi-finals 

Bafana Bafana are through to the AFCON semi-finals following a 2-1 win against Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties on Saturday night.

Captain Ronwen Williams saved four penalties during a tense quarter-final match at Stade Charles Konan Stadium.

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Both sides started brightly in an open first half. But stellar defending and top-class goalkeeping from Williams and Cape Verde’s Vozinha kept the game goalless at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern as the teams traded blows in search of a breakthrough. But a combination of desperation and brilliant defending saw numerous chances go begging. 

Cape Verde almost stole it in added time when Gelson Tavares pounced on a deep ball only to smash his shot off the bar with Williams getting a hand to it. 0-0 after 90 minutes meant extra time.

Bafana Bafana are through to the AFCON semi-finals
Ronwen Williams produce a stunning save

The additional 30 minutes brought more chances, with South Africa’s Mihlali Mayambela forcing a superb save from Vozinha. But the deadlock remained to send the quarter-final into penalties.

BAFANA BAFANA REACH THE AFCON SEMI-FINALS IN 24 YEARS

South Africa reached the CAF AFCON semi-finals for the first time in 24 years. They will face Nigeria in the semi-finals at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other semi-final in Abidjan.

Angola smash Namibia to reach AFCON quarterfinals

Angola smash Namibia to reach AFCON quarterfinals

ANGOLA did the expected as they continued their winning ways against Namibia with an easy 3-0 victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 tie in Bouake, Ivory Coast on Saturday night.

Gelson Dala helped himself to a first half brace while Mabululu added one after the break to give the Palncas Negras their eighth win over the Brave Warriors in 14 matches – six of their other meetings ended in draws.

The match, watched by a good crowd of close on 30 000 spectators, had a lively beginning as both sides attacked with purpose and threatened each other early on.

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But things changed quickly with Angola being reduced to ten men just after the quarter-hour mark when their goalkeeper Neblu got sent off for handling the ball outside his box when he blocked a goal attempt from Bethuel Muzeu.

Neblu’s replacement Dominique – who came on for outfield player Estrela – did well to save the free kick which Orlando Pirates winger Deon Hotto lobbed over the wall.

Still, you thought Nambia would make their numerical advantage count for something. But it was not to be as Angola more than held their own. The Palancas Negras actually took the lead on 38 minutes when Dala slotted home a square pass from captain Freddy who had received a sublime throughball from Gilberto.

Things got worse for Namibia two minutes later when Lubeni Haukongo was sent off for a second bookable to see parity restored in terms of the number of players on the field.

From the resultant free kick, Freddy again provided the assist as his floated ball landed flush on the head of the on-running Ndala who directed it into the top corner to essentially end the clash as a contest.

ANGOLA BEAT NAMIBIA TO ADVANCE TO THE AFCON QUATER-FINALS 

Impressive as they were in registering their maiden AFCON finals victory with that 1-0 win over Tunisia and then lifting themselves up following the 4-0 hammering by Bafana Bafana to hold Mali goalless, you just could not see Namibia coming back from this one.
And while they made some inroads into the Angola area after the break, the fact that their captain Peter Shalulile appears to have left his coring form at the Mamelodi Sundowns headquarters in Chloorkop did not help matters. As in previous matches, the usually lethal striker just could not find the opposition net with the chances he got going to waste.

Instead it was Angola who scored in the second half following a swift counter-attack to punish a Namibia side that was piling on the pressure in search of goal.
And captain Freddy was once again involved as he delivered a fantastic 40m pass from inside his own half to find Dala on the left flank and the brace-scorer became the provider as he set up Mabululu. The Egypt-based forward is never one to wait for a second invitation at scoring a goal and he deftly curled the ball past the flailing Namibian goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapuwa of Chippa United for a goal that gave Angola their biggest win at the AFCON finals. It was also their first knockout stage victory at the biennial continental showpiece.

The result was never in doubt really given Angola’s great record against Namibia prior to the match.
Ends ends ends.

By Matshelane Mamabolo

Broos warns Bafana against complacency

Broos warns Bafana against complacency

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has warned his troops to guard against complacency ahead of the AFCON last Group E match against Tunisia on Wednesday. South Africa are on the verge of qualification to the last 16 if they avoid defeat against the North Africans. 

They currently sit at position two with three points, tied with Namibia who are in third position. 

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“It was a great game [against Namibia on Sunday] and a good win. Goal difference counts and we are happy with the result,” Broos was quoted by the SAFA media. 

“We know what we need to do, the team knows what they need to do and the changes made on the day were tactical and needed. We will do the same against Tunisia. Every opponent we study and improve on our plan,” he said. 

Hugo Broos has warned Bafana Bafana against complacency
Hugo Broos, coach of South Africa during the 2023 African Cup of Nations South Africa Training Session at the Lycee Moderne, Korhogo on the 23 January 2024 ©SAFAMedia


BAFANA BAFANA WARNED AGAINST COMPLACENCY AHEAD OF TUNISIA CLASH 

Meanwhile, defender Grant Kekana says playing alongside his teammates in the back-five makes life easier. Kekana made the starting line-up for the clash against Namibia in place on Siyanda Xulu.

“It is easy when the backline is Modiba, Mvala and Mudau,” he said.

“These are my club buddies and when we play for our county, it does come naturally and easier because of how well we know each other. We train together just about every day,” said the Limpopo-born defender.

Bafana Bafana had a few days’ rest since their match against Namibia. That’s one less than their opponents Tunisia. The clash against Tunisia will kick off at 19:00 SA time, the same time as the match between Mali and Tunisia. 

By the end of Wednesday, all nations who have qualified for the last 16 round would have been confirmed.

Broos names Bafana Afcon preliminary squad

Broos names Bafana Afcon preliminary squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced his preliminary squad for next year’s CAF Afcon in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Belgian mentor announced a 50-man preliminary squad that will be trimmed to 23 players at the beginning of the new year. This will be shortly before departure to the West African country.

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The 34th edition of the biennial continental tournament will be held in Côte d’Ivoire from 13 January to Sunday 11 Feb 2024.

Broos’ charges will assemble for camp on 4 January 2024. They will then travel to Stellenbosch for a training camp. It will be held in the Western Cape city until 9 January 2024.

Bafana Bafana will then play a training match against Lesotho behind closed doors at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. This is before departing for Côte d’Ivoire on 11 January 2024.

2023 AFCON BAFANA BAFANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD:

Hugo Broos names Bafana Bafana Afcon preliminary squad
Bafana preliminary squad

Crowie unveils players for 2023 U/17 Africa Cup of Nations 

Crowie unveils players for 2023 U/17 Africa Cup of Nations 

SA Under-17 coach Duncan Crowie has announced a list of players for a camp that will be used to select the final squad for the 2023 U/17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria. 

Crowie’s charges will go into camp on the 9 April 2023 and then the coach will announce his final AFCON-bound team on 15 April 23.

Also read: Crowie happy with SA’s preparations for Under-17 Afcon COSAFA qualifier

This year’s U/17 AFCON tournament will be held in Algeria from 29 April to 19 May 2023 and South Africa are pitted against Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia in Group B.

Crowie recently conducted a selection camp at the SAFA National Technical Centre (Fun Valley). 

The camps are part of his preparations for the continental completion in Algeria and the coach believes they have been a hugely beneficial exercise.

Duncan Crowie unveils players for 2023 U/17 Africa Cup of Nations
Duncan Crowie and Aaron Mokoena unveils players for 2023 U/17 Africa Cup of Nations

SA Preliminary squad for 2023 U/17 Africa Cup of Nations 

GOALKEEPERS

Takalani Mzhawana  (Kaizer Chiefs), Gennaro Johnson (Cape Town Spurs),  Kyle Jansen (Atlanta United).

DEFENDERS

Khosa Manyama (Cape Town Spurs), Gabriano Shelton (Liverpool, England), Keitumetsi Lesia (Supersport United), Waylon Renecke (Norwich, England). Benjamin Wallace (Supersport United), Bonginkosi Phala (Getafe, Spain), Vincent Sithole (Mamelodi Sundowns). Tyler Cecero (Stellenbosch), Neo Rapoo (Supersport United), Thato Sibiya (Mamelodi Sundowns).

MIDFIELDERS

Xolani Tshaka (Orlando Pirates), Sfiso Timba (Kaizer Chiefs), Gomolemo Kekana (TS Galaxy), Vicky Mkhawana (Kaizer Chiefs). Aphelele Mkhize  (Maritzburg United) Xavier Jodamus (Ubuntu Academy),  Thuto Mojanang (Feyenoord, Holland), Dhakier Lee (Cape Town Spurs). 

FORWARDS

Michael Dokumnu (Vitesse, Holland), Orifha Bright Naubelo (Capital City), Bennet Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aaron Sloch Rydell (Nordsjaelland, Denmark). Gabriel Amato (Cape Town City), Lucas Jetten (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Tyrese Davids (Supersport United), Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns). 

RELATED POST: 

Crowie happy with SA’s preparations for Under-17 Afcon COSAFA qualifier

Crowie happy with SA’s preparations for Under-17 Afcon COSAFA qualifier

National Under-17 coach Duncan Crowie is happy with the way things have gone ahead of his side’s participation in the football competition at the COSAFA Region 5 Games in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA qualifier and the Under-17 Girls’ Championship get underway this week. Both Crowie and Delisilwe Mbatha, the South African Under-17 women’s national team coach, are raring to go.

“So far I am happy with the way the preparations have gone,” he said to www.safa.net.

COSAFA QUALIFIER

The football competitions will be staged between December 1-12 and Crowie’s charges are in Group B together with Zambia, Mozambique and the Seychelles. Hosts Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Angola are in Group A.

Mbatha’s charges are in Group A together with Malawi and Namibia. Zambia, Botswana and Comoros.

“But like I said, I am happy with the preparations and the most important thing is for us as the technical team to make sure that occasion does not get too big for the players,” said Crowie.

“We have to ensure that the players concentrate on the soccer side of things. Then I think half the battle will be won. But we will see how it goes. In football you never know what will happen next, but we will make sure we keep the guys grounded, focused and mentally prepared.

“Physically I think we are on the right track, and we are looking forward to this tournament.”

Mbatha told www.safa.net this week that they were determined to make the country proud.

“We are determined to go through the group stages. It would be nice to finish top in our group so that we face second-placed side in Group B. We want to go all the way and bring the trophy home,’’ said Mbatha.