Missed chances cost Bafana Norway game

South Africa 0
Norway 1

With a few days to go before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations, goal scoring remains Bafana’s biggest Achilles’ heel.

Losing 1-0 to Norway is not good result for the South African team ahead of the tournament, which starts next Saturday.

Bafana have no one but themselves to blame after dominating the whole game but being let down by poor finishing. This should have been a walk in the park for the home side but poor decision making and indecisiveness in front of goal were their undoing.

Bafana found themselves a goal down at half-time after Norwegian captain Tarik Elyounoussi was given ample space in the box, and he picked his spot to beat Itumeleng Khune. But it could have been a different story had Bafana taken all their chances.

Katlego Mphela was the main culprit as he missed two clear-cut chances to the dismay of the crowd who signalled for his replacement.

The Mamelodi Sundowns striker did not return for the second stanza after he was replaced by Tokelo Rantie. But luck deserted Bafana throughout the game as they missed chance after chance. Thuso Phala, who started his first game in Bafana colours, came close to levelling matters but his shot went over the bar.

The introduction of crowd favourite Thulani Serero seemed to inspire the team as they pushed forward, searching for the equaliser but the goal still eluded them.

Bafana will be looking for an improved performance when they take on Algeria at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.