Mali proves to be too strong for Bafana Bafana

Written by: Nompumelelo Mncube

What we thought and hoped to be a game full of special moments from Bafana Bafana was rather a surprise show.

Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Mali last night in their Group E Africa Cup of nations opener.

Bafana Bafana created so many scoring chances in the first half but failed to score. That missed penalty by Percy Tau could’ve boosted their confidence to fight for more goals.

Second half went south for Bafana Bafana, the round of the game belonged to Mali as they came back stronger and flexible.

This was Mali’s third AFCON success over South Africa, Mali having been victorious via the shoot-out from the penalty spot in the 2013 edition in a match played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

This result saw Bafana being last in the group E table and Mali at the top of the table and this also puts Hugo Broos’ men under immense pressure as they will have to beat the same Nambia, who stunned Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles 1-0 courtesy of a late Deon Hotto goal.

Bafana remain winless in an AFCON opener for the sixth tournament running, South Africa last having won in 2004 against Benin and they now have a tough task in their quest to make the knockout stages