KORHOGO, Côte d’Ivoire – The Bafana Bafana of South Africa were unstoppable as they defeated Namibia 4-0 in Korhogo.
South Africa started pilling up pressure from the start of the game and created chances in the early stages of the game.
The pressure yielded result with just 9 minutes into the game as the ball hit the hands of a Namibian defender for a penalty. The decision was overlooked initially but after consulting the VAR, Referee Youcef Gamouh awarded the penalty.
Percy Tau showed up again but got it right this time for South Africa from the spot. He gave goalkeeper Lloyd Junior Kazapua no chance as he hit the ball into the low right corner of the net in the 14th minutes.
South Africa will play Tunisia next in their last group game at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Wednesday with hopes of qualifying.
South Africa increased their tally 9 minutes later. Thapelo Morena showed great skillset after locating Themba Zwane with a pass to finish off a great team goal with a shot into the right side of the net.
With 5 minutes to end of the first half, Themba Zwane made it 3-0. This time, it was a solo effort from the forward who dribbled through the Namibian defense to score.
Even after going up 3-0 at half time, Hugo Broos’ men continued pilling pressure in the second half.
Thapelo Maseko added the fourth goal after leaving goalkeeper Lloyd Junior Kazapua helpless with his effort which ended up in the net.
Mali tops the table with four points, South Africa and Namibia have three each and Tunisia one ahead of the final group matches on Wednesday.
Thapelo Morena, promoted to the South Africa starting line-up after coming off the bench in the loss to Mali, troubled Namibia from the start with his runs down the right.
From one, Namibian Riaan Hanamub handled inside the area and, after viewing the incident at the pitchside VAR monitor, the referee pointed to the spot.
Tau, heavily criticised after blazing a spot kick wide against Mali, redeemed himself with a superbly struck low penalty past Lloyd Kazapua into the corner of the net on 14 minutes.
Relief was etched on the face of Tau, who plays for Egyptian and African giants Al-Ahly, as he ran back to the South African half, and Namibia seemed despondent at falling behind so early, AFP reported.
Morena once again featured prominently as his cross was met perfectly by Zwane and the ball flew past Kazapua to give Bafana a two-goal advantage with 25 minutes gone.
Portugal-based Sphephelo Sithole, who with Tau was the only starters who do not play for South African clubs, wasted a great chance to score when his header hit the ground and flew over.
His miss was soon forgotten, however, as Zwane struck again for a 3-0 lead. He raced toward goal from the left and fired across Kazapua and into the far corner of the net.
South Africa were dominant and Kazapua did well to tip a Morena shot just over the crossbar as half-time loomed.
Broos, a 2017 Cup of Nations title winner with Cameroon, felt sufficiently confident of victory that he took off Zwane midway through the second half.
His replacement, Maseko, did not take long to make an impact as he sprinted to control a long pass and although Kazapua got a hand to his shot, he could not prevent it entering the net.
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