AFCON 2015: Uphill Battle for Bafana Bafana against Ghana in Group C decider
Bafana Bafana faces an uphill battle to beat the much fancied Ghana with more than three goals to advance to the knock-out stage of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea.
Bafana Bafana reduced their chances of remaining in the Afcon tournament when they allowed Senegal to hold them to a 1-1 draw in match played in Mongomo stadium on Friday night.
With this 1-1 draw, Senegal are now leading group C with four points, while Algeria and Ghana are on second and third respectively with three points.
Bafana Bafana who lost their opening match 3-1 against Algeria, are in the bottom with only one point. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the knock-out stage.
However, South Africa can still top the group with a good win in their last match against Ghana on Tuesday.
Just like in their opening match against Algeria, Bafana Bafana were impressive, but with no goals to show for their efforts.
In the first half against Senegal, Bafana Bafana suffered an injury blow when defender Thulani Hlatshwayo left the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Ayanda Gcaba at the stroke of half-hour mark.
Bafana Bafana upped their game in the second half and Oupa Manyisa put the South Africans in the lead two minutes after the re-start as he punished Senegal whose defence was found in sixes and sevens.
Anele Ngcongca had provided the pass from the right and Senegal could not deal with the tricky cross leaving Oupa Manyisa to coolly slot home. Senegal almost grabbed the equaliser on the 57th minute, but Sadio Mane's effort was ruled offside.
However, the Senegalese level terms following Bafana's poor marking at the back with a header of the centre back, Mame Diouf. Bafana goalkeeper, Jackson Mabokgwane made a brilliant save on the 81st minute when he pushed out Dame N'Doye's powerful long shot.
Bafana Bafana is by no means out of the woods, but they need to beat Ghana in their last group match to avoid catching the first flight to OR Tambo International Airport next Wednesday.
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