Bafana ‘juniors’ run riot

HEY might have been assisted by a red card for Swaziland, but once South Africa clicked into gear there was no stopping them from running their Cosafa Cup semifinal opponents off the field in a 5-1 victory at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.

This Bafana Bafana Olympic shadow team make life difficult for themselves by being slow starters. Again they were woeful in the first half, then recovered in the second.

Perhaps this schizophrenic personality stems from having two coaches.

Shakes Mashaba has taken charge of this team, comprising U23 players preparing for the Olympic Games.

U23 boss Owen da Gama, supposedly a joint coach in Namibia, at times has appeared to look on, bemused.

Tony Tsabedze gave Swaziland the lead in the 38th minute in a first half where Bafana were again sluggish.

Thabiso Kutumela equalised with a free kick, awarded softly after Judas Moseamedi appeared to dive on the edge of Swaziland’s area in the 52nd.

The red card for a second bookable offence to centreback Siyabonga Mdluli was equally soft.

The South Africans capitalised with goals by Lebogang Phiri (56th), substitute Menzi Masuku (59th), Moseamedi (75th), and Masuku (83rd).