Bafana Bafana match report: AFCON dream ends in tears after Sudan loss

Bafana Bafana have sensationally failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Cameroon early next year.

AS IT HAPPENED | SUDAN V BAFANA BAFANA

All Molefi Ntseki’s men needed to do was avoid defeat against Sudan in their final AFCON match in order to qualify, but lost 2-0 to the North African nation in Khartoum on Sunday, 28 March.

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Sudan, who are ranked a lowly 127th in the FIFA rankings and 34th in Africa, opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a header from Saifeldin Bakhit.

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By contrast, South Africa are the 71st-ranked team in the world and 13th in Africa.

Bafana Bafana were then caught on a counter-attack in the 32nd minute as Mohamed Abdel Raman went on a run from the wing, burst his way inside the box and fired a strike past goalkeper Ronwen Williams at the near post.

In Group C’s other match on Sunday, Ghana beat Sao Tome 3-1.

The final standings saw Ghana top the group with 13 points with Sudan in second on 12 with both countries rewarded with a place in the delayed tournament now scheduled for early 2022.

South Africa finished with 10 points after three wins, a draw and two defeats. They scored eight goals and conceded seven in their ultimately failed campaign.

AFCON 1996 will remain South Africa’s lone success in the continent’s biggest tournament for another year.

BAFANA BAFANA STARTING XI

Williams, Hlatshwayo, Maela, Xulu, Monare, Motshwari, Morena, Zwane, Maboe, Singh, Tau

Substitutes: Khune, Hlanti, Martin, Kutumela, Phete, Mbule, Gamildien, Nodada, Mvala, Lebusa, Pule, Foster

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