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22 January 00:49
Bafana soar past Namibia, elevating SA's pride on the day Du Plessis scripted UFC history
The South African flag that flew high and proudly on Sunday morning, when mixed martial artist Dricus du Plessis became world champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) – remained there when Bafana Bafana knocked the lights out of Namibia in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) just before midnight.
Du Plessis set the tone in the early hours of Sunday morning by defeating Sean Strickland in Toronto, Canada, in a bruising battle for the middleweight championship – becoming the first South African to win a UFC championship.
In Korhogo, Ivory Coast, Bafana turned the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium into what felt like the claustrophobic UFC octagon for Namibia – battering their helpless neighbours 4-0 to leave more blood on the floor than Du Plessis did.
- Njabulo Ngidi
22 January 00:04
FULL-TIME: Bafana Bafana 4-0 Nambia
The scoreline may look like it was an easy match, which was not the case at all, but what did shine brightly was that Bafana Bafana took control of their fate and, more importantly, scored goals. Four of them.
Percy Tau's penalty set the tone, and Themba Zwane then completed his brace, tying up the win for sure. Thapelo Maseko's super-substitution brought a smile to Broos's face as well.
Bafana catapulted to second in Group E ahead of Nambia on goal difference and on course for a ticket to the last 16.
Bafana are back in action on Wednesday (19:00 SA time) evening against Tunisia for the final match.
A draw should be enough for Bafana to advance, while a victory will certainly secure their passage to the next round.
21 January 23:41
80 min: A double change for South Africa as Lepasa, Mayambela comes to the fore. Makgopa and Morena comes off.
21 January 23:39
21 January 23:31
64 min' CHANCE! Namibia are certainly not of any threats on goal as Tjiueza creates space for himself and instead of shooting tries to lay it off for Shalulile, who can't time the pass perfectly enough to get a touch on it.
21 January 23:20
60 min: How long after Broos opts to make some changes. Thirty minutes left. 'Sphephe' is on a yellow card.
21 January 23:11
50 min: Namibia probing and looking desperate, chasing down every Bafana shirt when out of possession. The difference is that Bafana has been one step ahead of their neighbours tonight in terms of technique and game management.
21 January 23:08
No changes for Bafana but Namibia opts for two changes with Katua and Muzeu coming on for Shitembi and Iimbondi.
21 January 22:50
HALF-TIME: Bafana Bafana 3-0 Namibia
What a remarkable half! Exactly what Bafana needed, especially given their historical challenges in the attacking department.
Percy Tau's successful penalty and a brace from Themba Zwane have propelled Hugo Broos's charges to a robust and commanding lead.
There were chances for Namibia in the early stages of the match, in which SA looked rattled but kept their composure.
When the second half begins, Namibia will need to capitalize on their opportunities and be more clinical.
Meanwhile, Bafana must remain vigilant from the outset, protecting their lead and, if possible, extending it with additional goals.
AFP IMAGE: South Africa's forward #11 Themba Zwane celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group E football match between South Africa and Namibia at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Fadel Senna / AFP)
21 January 22:43
Zwane completes his brace with an elegant goal. He floors a Namibia skill with his experience and finishes off with the side of his foot. The veteran is shining.
21 January 22:36
35' min: Sithole with a rare set piece chance as the deep-lying corner kick finds the midfielder lurking but he can't connect the ball to head.
21 January 22:29
Thapelo Morena is already making a big difference in attack, a perfect cross for Themba Zwane in a counterattacking move. Zwane collects as he enters the box late and unmarked. Sweetly placed into the corner.
That was a quality finish from the veteran attacking midfielder.
21 January 22:21
20 min: Bafana now managing the game at a moderate pace, with Namibia seeking, searching and probing.
21 January 22:15
A well-executed penalty from Percy Tau as he redeems himself from the penalty he missed last week. This time around, he looked more confident. Thumps it hard, low and out of the keeper's reach.
21 January 22:14
12 min: PENALTY!
Morena attempted to get hold of the ball, but the bounced and hit the hand of Hanamub after consulting VAR.
21 January 22:10
7 min: A compelling duel unfolds between Sundowns teammates Kekana and Shalulile, while Williams ventures off his goal line to intervene. Shalulile gains the upper hand over Kekana, releasing a shot at goal that rebounds off Williams, who positions himself to make a formidable presence.
21 January 22:05
3 min: That was a slick moment from Shalulile. Dazzling his way through Bafana's defence before the ball finds Jiueza, who half volleys an effort into the palms of Williams.
21 January 22:03
1 min: Eight Sundowns players are starting in this fixture for Bafana.
Just Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates, South Africa) and Sphephelo Sithole (Tondera, Portugal) play for other teams.
21 January 21:59
Pre-match proceedings are done and spoken for ... final pictures are taken and the neighbours Bafana and Namibia face off in what is set to be another classic match.
21 January 21:55
WALK OUT: The teams, side by side, as they empty the tunnel to enter the field. A win for South Africa puts things into clear perspective. They will be one foot in the last 16 round. A win for Nambia, firmly book their spot.
Plenty riding on this fixture before the final Group Matchday, starting tomorrow.
21 January 21:36
We'll know as soon as the whistle is sounded where Tau and Zwane plays. Both could be interchangable.
21 January 21:35
Broos also may have shifted Tau into the middle with Zwane shifting further forward on the left which Maseko played last week in Bafana's defeat against Mali.
21 January 21:26
TEAM NEWS:
Bafana - Head coach Hugo Broos makes a big call, putting Grant Kekana alongside Mothobi Mvala ahead of his always trusted choice - Siyanda Xulu. Thapelo Morena slots in at Right Wing - replacing Thapelo Maseko who had a dismal showing against Mali.
Namibia - The obvious names in Deon Hotto and Peter Shalulile starts and will want to turn the screws against the South Africans.
21 January 21:01
21 January 20:42
A closer look: History favours Bafana but Namibia will want another big slice at Afcon
If history has any kind of leverage for Bafana Bafana in their crucial Africa Cup of Nations clash against Namibia, then they've got that in abundance in past meetings against their neighbours.
The Brave Warriors, ranked 115th in the world, have already helped themselves to a big slice at Afcon, pulling off a stunning victory against one of the tournament favourites, Tunisia (ranked 28th), courtesy of a late Deon Hotto goal.
Group E: *As it stands: Mali - 4, Namibia - 3, Tunisia -1, South Africa - 0
In the other Group E match, Hugo Broos and his South African team (64th) suffered defeat against a formidable-looking Mali (51st), greatly reducing their likelihood of advancing beyond the group stage.
Sunday's highly anticipated clash at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo, Ivory Coast will be the 14th match overall between Bafana and Namibia in all competitions.
The two nations have clashed seven times in the Cosafa Cup, played out four international friendlies and faced off twice on the grand Afcon stage.
Overall, Bafana holds the advantage, securing seven wins, suffering two defeats, and settling for four draws against the Brave Warriors, boasting a winning percentage of 53.85%.
The anniversary of the first encounter between the two sides will be next Wednesday, a fixture in which Bafana suffered a 3-2 defeat in the Cosafa Cup in 1998.
However, this result holds no weight in the memory of South Africans, as Bafana avenged that loss just 23 days later at Afcon that same year.
They dominated the Brave Warriors with a resounding 4-1 victory, with a then 20-year-old Benni McCarthy scoring all four goals.
This victory was a part of Bafana's efforts to defend their 1996 title. That result remains a cherished memory for a football-loving nation longing for that quality to be displayed in the current set-up. It marked a happier period for the South African national team.
Now, more than 20 years later, they're still striving to rekindle that feeling, which has declined since the post-2000 era.
In June 1999, Namibia secured their last victory over South Africa in the Cosafa Cup quarter-final. Although the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the legendary Pollen Ndlanya finding the back of the net, Namibia clinched a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win.
Fast-forward to 2018, after five matches and four wins for Bafana, they faced Namibia in the Cosafa Cup. The match ended in a 4-1 victory for South Africa, with four of those players likely to feature in the upcoming clash again.
Hotto scored for Namibia, and his teammate Riaan Hanamub also got minutes. On the other side, Aubrey Modiba and Siyanda Xulu were on the scoresheet for Bafana and remain crucial components of Broos's line-up.
A year later, at the 2019 edition of the Afcon, Bongani Zungu saved South Africa's blushes from a stalemate to help steer Bafana out of their group.
It wasn't a pretty victory but it was a win that saw then coach Stuart Baxter heave a sigh of relief. The concerning aspect for Bafana leading into Sunday's match is that the victory in 2019 was their last against Namibia, and since then, they have played three times, all ending in draws.
Bafana entered the match in desperate need of a victory to alleviate the mounting pressure on their shoulders.
The nation, with almost 70 million people, collectively holds its breath, hoping that Percy Tau and his teammates can hit the back of the net, while Siyanda Xulu and the defence aim to thwart any threats from Namibia, a task they struggled with against Mali.
