Opposition Watch: Bafana Bafana Through to Cosafa Cup Plate final

Bafana Bafana earned their place in the COSAFA Castle Cup Plate final after seeing off Botswana 2-0 at Moruleng Stadium on Tuesday.

 

Botswana created the first real chance of the game nine minutes in as Lemponye Tshireletso let fly to bring a fine save out of Kaizer Chiefs’ young goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma. Bafana then threatened through Mohau Mokate but the Botswana defence just managed to get to the ball ahead of him after a promising attacking move.
With 33minutes gone on the clock, Bafana got themselves in front as Mokate did the hard work before putting the ball on a platter for Riyaad Norodien to fire home.

The Orlando Pirates midfielder had already needed treatment from the medical team prior to scoring and was again down a few moments later after finding himself on the receiving end of another fiery Botswana challenge.

Mokate had a chance to turn from provider to scorer in the final moments of the first-half but was unable to make the most of the opportunity after spurning a chance one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

South Africa suffered another knock soon after the break as the challenges continued flying in from the visitors, with Bvuma requiring medical attention but, thankfully, being able to continue.

Botswana then had their gloveman to thank for keeping the deficit at just one goal as he reacted brilliantly to prevent the ball from crossing the line after initially being wrong-footed. The second period was proving to belong to the goalkeepers, with Bvuma this time producing the goods to keep out a stinging effort from Mathumo with 20 minutes remaining.

Botswana continued plugging away for a leveler as the game headed into the final 10 minutes but were this time unable to test Bvuma as a header flashed wide of the mark.

 

The day turned ugly for Bafana in the final minutes as head coach Baxter was sent to the stands by the referee, although it had no ill-affect on the team as they went on to double their lead deep into stoppage time through rising star Moseamedi.

South Africa will face Namibia in the COSAFA Castle Cup plate final after the latter saw off Swaziland 1-0 in the second semi-final on Tuesday.

Photo Credit: safa.net