SEDIBENG.- Against all odds Bafana Bafana has qualified for the last 16 of the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) after they played a goalless draw against Tunisia in the last game of Group E on Wednesday night.
In the previous interview with Sedibeng Ster Sport, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Augustine “Mthakathi” Makalakalane predicted that Bafana would go beyond group stages. He was convinced that Bafana Bafana will be among the nations that will be in the knockout stages despite their poor start against Mali in the opening fixture of the tournament.
Much was said and written after Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat against Mali with many feeling it was the end of the road for SA in the tournament. Bafana had to beat Namibia 4-0 to keep their hopes alive in the tournament and their goalless draw against Tunisia was enough for them to finish second in Group E with 4 points, with Mali finishing at the top of the group with 5 points.
Makalalakane hailed Coach Hugo Broos for his brave selection of several players from Mamelodi Sundowns which proved to be a good decision. It was Sundowns’ player combination that saw Bafana Bafana bury Namibia 4-0 with Themba Zwane scoring a brace in this game.
Broos started the Namibia game with eight players from Mamelodo Sundowns with Thapelo Maseko from Vaal coming in as a substitution to score his first goal in Bafana Bafana colours. Maseko also came in a sub against Tunisia on Wednesday.
