South Africa (1) 2
Foster 15, Mbatha 90
Uganda (0) 2
Omedi 51, Mato 53
THALENTE Mbatha proved to be the hero for Bafana Bafana on debut after coming off the bench to rescue the men’s national team from the jaws of defeat at Orlando Stadium.
The Orlando Pirates midfielder scored the equaliser in added time to help Bafana salvage a point against Uganda in their opening Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier last night.
This result sees Bafana sit third in Group K with one point, level with second-placed Uganda and two points behind leaders Congo.
Bafana must ensure that they return with maximum points from South Sudan on Tuesday night to get their campaign up and running, having let two points slip on home soil.
Sure, Bafana will be disappointed with this result, but if it wasn’t for coach Hugo Broos’ ‘trump card’, it could have been worse.
Mbatha scored Bafana’s equaliser that didn’t only give his team a sigh of relief, but aided the trajectory he’s having as he’s had outstanding months at Pirates.
For Mbatha, this goal will mean the world. It came on familiar territory, given that this is where he does his full-time job for the Sea Robbers.
Given that there had already been ‘happy nights’ here this season, ‘The Ghost’ haunting all three visitors, Broos banked on the Bafana fans to come out in numbers.
They adhered to the call as the lower stand was almost full by half-time, with the Ugandan base boasting a presence as well.
The onus was on Broos and his troops to repay the faith that was shown to them by delivering yet another impressive outing in this opening Afcon qualifier.
However, it wasn’t to be. The Belgian coach let himself down with his starting line-up, which included two erratic players in the back five in Siyabonga Ngezana and goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Mothwa will be the most disappointed by his outing as he was filling the void left by injured No 1 and captain Ronwen Williams.
Williams’ gloves proved too big to fill in that he had also made history this week by becoming the first African-based goalkeeper to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Yachine award.
This was a bad day at the office for Broos, who’ll probably have after-thoughts of why he didn’t opt for either Ricardo Goss or Sipho Chaine in goal.
After all, the duo warranted a starting berth, having already played competitive games this season – unlike Mothwa, who’s yet to feature for AmaZulu.
Chaine probably deserved to start given that he’s the most in-form goalkeeper, having already kept three clean sheets in five matches this season and the match was at his usual venue.
But Mothwa was the tip of the iceberg in Bafana’s problems, especially after the team had a good first half, taking the lead through the returning Lyle Foster.
Foster broke the deadlock in the 15th minute after latching onto Khuliso Mudau’s pass, which had bypassed a Ugandan defender, before composing himself to chip over Ismail Watenga.
Oswin Appollis could have rendered the match a non-contest thereafter, but Watenga proved too strong in the duels, winning all the efforts.
Early in the second half, Denis Omedi equalised for the Cranes, after Sphephelo Sithole was dispossesed in his own half, as he blasted a thumping shot into the top corner, beating Mothwa hands down.
In a flash, the visitors were ahead. After realising that Mothwa was off his line, Rogers Mato hit a long-range effort the former failed to deal with as it slipped through his fingers.
That embarrassed Mothwa as he lifted his arms to apologise to the bench and the fans, needing his teammates to respond on the pitch.
The crowd chanted ‘Tito, Tito, Tito’ for the cameo of Pirates attacker Patrick Maswanganyi, who usually waves his magic wand at this ground.
But that plea fell on Broos’ deaf ears as he opted for fan-favourite Relebohile Mofokeng instead.
But it was Mbatha who took matters into his own hands, scoring the equaliser at the death.