Bafana crash in Afcon opener
2006-01-22 22:31
Alexandria - Guinea needed two late goals to beat South Africa in an African Cup of Nations Group C clash on Sunday - and, they got them.
Guinea opened the scoring through substitute Sambegou Bangoura's diving header off a cross from Ibrahima Bangoura in the 77th minute before another substitute, Ousmane Bangoura, made the game safe 10 minutes later.
Defending champions Tunisia top the standings in this group after their 4-1 win over a youthful Zambian team earlier in the day.
On a day when Tunisia and Zambia had produced five goals, Guinea would have had only themselves to blame if Bafana Bafana had taken anything out of this encounter as the Syli Stars created the most chances.
After a first half, in which Guinea enjoyed the upper hand, Fode Mansare failed to put away a half-chance before Pablo Thiam's scuffed his shot in the 58th minute.
Vilakazi's effort went wide
At the other end, Benedict Vilakazi saw his left-foot effort from the edge of the box go wide.
Bafana skipper Sibusiso Zuma hit the side netting and goalkeeper Niaby Diarso managed to stop his other hopeful overhead kick with Bennie McCarthy lurking around.
Match hero Sambegou Bangoura was denied a goal seven minutes before he found the back of the net when his header off a right cross by Ismael Bangoura was kept out by the solid Calvin Marlin.
First real sight at goal
Ousmane Bangoura doubled Guinea's advantage when he tucked away an assist by Pablo Thiam three minutes from the end.
Guinea looked the more likely to score in a first half that had very few chances between the two teams.
This was so much so that it was not until the half-hour that Pascal Feinduno got the first real sight at goal when his clever lob was scrambled away to safety by Bafana Bafana keeper Marlin.
Soon after that, the stylish Le Mans forward Ismael Bangoura set up Kaba Diawara but the AC Ajaccio star could not get his foot to the ball as it screamed across the face of the South African goal.
Just before the break, Guinea again threatened to open their goals account.
Feinduno forced a big save from Marlin with his well-struck free kick after defender Jimmy Tau had brought down Diawara and almost immediately they again came close during a goalmouth scramble.
South Africa's best chance of the first 45 minutes was when McCarthy let fly a powerful free kick from the edge of the box in the 28th minute.
But, goalkeeper Diarso was not troubled as the shot was directed at him.