The Cape Town experience

Saturday saw Cape Town play host to Bafana Bafana's, must win, 2014 World Cup qualifier match against the Central African Republic.Soccer loving capetonians were out in numbers to witness the rarity that is seeing their national team play in the Mother City.

The must win encounter saw Igesand start with a very offensive line-up, with Parker and Rantie leading the attack, the first 20 minutes of the match almost saw Igesand's decision pay off, with Bafana coming agonizing close to scoring on four occasions, but poor finishing left the scoreline at 0-0.With the frontmen unable to convert their chances, the 33rd minute of the game saw defender Thabo Matlaba take matters into his own hands and score an absolute screamer from just inside the opposition half.

Barely Minutes after Matlaba's wonder strike, Bafana's holding midfielder Dean 'mlungu' Furman was forced off the field off play after a clash of heads left the player with a cut above the eye and a bruised nose, Furman was rushed to hospital to receive stitches, but the Bafana camp confirmed that the he had not sustained any serious injury.Kagiso Dikgacoi replaced the injured Furman.The first half ended with the hosts leading 1-0.

The second half started exactly the way the first ended, with South Africa controlling possession and spending prolonged periods in the opposition half, with all that being said the 54th minute played host to controversy when CAR's Romaric Liganzi 'scored' a goal while clearly using his hand to get the ball in the back of the net, the referee Kalyango Ali awarded the goal, which infuriated Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune, khune immediately ran to the linesman and began remonstrating, he was soon joined by his team mates,  and bizarrely and to CAR coach Herve Loungoundji's dismay the goal was 

overturned! Once again African officials are put in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, CAF needs to do some serious introspection which regards to refereeing amongst other things!

Like the first half South Africa created a multitude of chances but poor finishing let them down, they did how ever add to their tally in the 71st minute when Bernard Parker latched on to Siphewe Tshabalala's pass and calmly netted home from inside the box.

The match ended 2-0 much to the pleasure and relieve of Bafana coach Gordon Igesund. 

Let's hope Bafana Bafana enjoyed the Cape Town experience, which saw the 'rainbow nation' out in full force to support our boys in green and gold, and bring more of their matches to the world class Cape Town Stadium.

Hats off to the City of Cape Town's events team for the excellent marketing of the match, which saw just over 38 000 tickets sold for the clash, and incredible feat considering Cape Towns Super Rugby franchise the Stormers were playing at Newlands at the same time.

photo by Matlhoma Morake