Bafana Bafana won the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout triumph over Senegal after the match finished 0-0 after extra-time, in the 20th edition of the competition
It was the same line up for Bafana that defeated Mozambique in the semi-finals, with the host, starting the brightest of the two sides at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action though until Victor Letsoalo got in behind the Senegal defence before forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Pape N’diaye.
A Siyethemba Sithebe free-kick into the box soon after was hastily cleared by a combination of Senegal defenders.
The Lions of Teranga won a free-kick on the right-hand side that was curled in by Dominic Mendy on his left foot to the back post and Ba rose highest but headed narrowly wide of the target – the visitors’ number nine causing problems for the Bafana defence with his aerial presence.
Yusuf Maart then unleashed a speculative effort from long range that was straight down the throat of N’diaye, but South Africa began to dominate possession and push Senegal back.
Monnapule Saleng overhit a 23rd minute set-piece before Letsoalo headed narrowly over from a Maart long throw into the box for the last real chance of the first half.
Sithebe came close to scoring after the break when Maart rolled the ball into his path outside the box and his sweetly struck strike skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Bafana had a good penalty shout which was turned down by the referee, before Ba rifled a powerful effort out of nowhere from the outside of the box to the near post that Veli Mothwa did well to keep out.
Sithebe delivered from the right and the ball fell to Ngcobo in the box at close range but he couldn’t connect with the strike as it hit his knee and feel at the keeper’s feet.
Ndiaye then made a good save from Maart’s effort from a tight angle on the right close to the byline as the match wore down.
Neither side were willing to give an inch defensively and were happy to sit back ahead of the final whistle and start of extra-time.
The tie remained cagey and ultimately and almost inevitably went to penalties, with Bafana prevailing as Motha denied Mendy after Ethan Brooks had his spotkick saved, and N’diaye missed the crucial kick as the shootout went to sudden death.
Senegal took part in the competition as a guest team but failed to make history as no guest participants have won it before.
