Yet another victory for Bafana
2010-03-26 14:00
By Timothy Molobi In Campinas
SURPRISE Moriri justified his selection in the Bafana Bafana
line-up when he scored in the team’s 2-1 victory over Ponte Preta yesterday
afternoon.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder got his first starting line-up on
the Brazilian tour, replacing Thulasizwe Mbuyane, and gave a good account when
he equalised in the 20th minute.
This was after Bafana were stunned by Reis’ curling shot in the
17th minute which goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune could do nothing about.
But the South African senior national team showed character when
they rallied back after another slow start and it did not surprise when
substitute Gert Schalkwyk netted the winner late in the second half to give
Bafana their fifth victory in seven games.
But as usual Bafana were slow to come out of the blocks – allowing
Preta to dictate the game early on. The home side took advantage of that to dent
the South Africans’ record of not conceding goals.
The Brazilian side home side should have scored early on, but
Renato Gonzalez saw his effort going wide after Siyabonga Sangweni’s mistake in
the box.
It took almost 10 minutes for Bafana to have a decent attack which
resulted in their first attempt at goals.
Simphiwe Tshabalala, who has been having a good time in Brazil,
shot wide of goalkeeper Gustavo.
Few minutes later Khune collected the ball from his own net after
Reis’ opener.
But Preta’s celebrations were cut shot by Moriri’s tap in from
Katlego Mphela’s cross in the 20th minute.
Moriri, who is getting closer to full fitness after spending
lengthy spells on the touchlines with a knee injury, showed just why Carlos
Parreira preferred him. He showed composure and combined well with his Sundowns
team-mate Mphela up front.
Mphela was also outstanding on the day using his pace effectively
on the wings only for his team-mates not to connect with his crosses.
The Brazilian coach is trying to give as many players a chance to
stake a claim in the World Cup team.
After bringing on Daylon Claasen, Schalkwyk and Richard Henyekane
later in the game, the team started exposing Petra with pace and it did not come
as a surprise when Henyekane and Schalkwyk combined well for the winner.
Parreira showered his team with praises after the game, saying it
was the best performance since they arrived here three weeks ago.
Bafana will play another training match against Desportivo Brasil
tomorrow afternoon.
- City Press