Qatar 2022 Qualifiers: South Africa, Liberia win
In the last 10 minutes of their respective games, South Africa and Liberia scored to pick identical 1-0 wins on Monday.
The wins were in their respective second matches of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
At the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored with seven minutes remaining as Bafana Bafana beat Ghana’s Black Stars 1-0.
It was a result that helped the 2010 World Cup hosts to move to the top of Group G with four points. They had picked a point in the 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe on matchday one.
Hlongwane simply adjusted his foot to direct the ball into the net from inside the goal area after a cross from the right.
It was a bright spark for Bafana Bafana and a huge relief to pick a win at home and hand coach Hugo Broos his first victory as head coach.
It was not a game with so many chances, though, but the home side will take the victory nonetheless.
Early in the game, they had a chance when Richard Ofori, who is with South African side Orlando Pirates, spilt a cross from Teboho Mokoena.
The rebound fell on Mothobi Mvala, but he could not hit the target on the half volley.
Percy Tau thought he had given Bafana Bafana the lead in the 37th minute, but his header from a cross that beat goalkeeper Ofori was flagged down for offside.
South Africa had a brilliant chance to break the deadlock in the 46th minute, but Evidence Makgopa missed a complete sitter.
Ofori, who seemed to be struggling with injury, let a seemingly harmless ball from Mokoena slip through his legs.
But with the goalmouth at his mercy from two yards out, Makgopa connected wide.
South Africa sought to make amends and came close after 66 minutes. This was when Mavala controlled the ball inside the box from Hlongwane’s cross before going for an acrobatic kick, but it hit the side netting.
They kept pushing and ultimately were rewarded with a goal in the 83rd minute.
Meanwhile, Liberia went second in Group C after beating Central Africa Republic (CAR) by a solitary goal. Kpah Sherman scored the lone goal for the Liberians with just four minutes left on the clock.
Liberia raised their tally to three points compared to CAR’s lone point before Cape Verde will take on Nigeria on Tuesday (today).
(NAN)
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