Bafana Bafana Hopes Of Qualifying For Next Year’s Africa Cup Disappeared Into The Humid Night Air

Author: John Mawuli Atidigah
CAPE TOWN – Bafana Bafana hopes of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals disappeared into the humid night air at the Al-Hilal Stadium, Omdurman, where Sudan ran out 2-0 winners in the final Group C clash on Sunday evening.

Following this result, Sudan will join Ghana as the Group C teams to qualify for next year’s continental showpiece in Cameroon.

Sensation in Khartoum. Sudan beat South Africa (2-0) and blew their qualification in the CAN 2021 qualifiers on Sunday. A clear and unblemished success for Hubert Velud and his men, who had no choice. than to win to participate in the queen event for the first time since 2012. Initially, the hosts took their visitors by the throat and opened the scoring with a header from Bakhit (4th, 1-0). In the ideal position, the hosts could break the pace and leave the initiative to their opponents to better counter them. The plan went as planned. On a high recovery, Abdel Raman was served on the left flank. The winger played Hlatshwayo and adjusted Williams (30th, 2-0). The break was done and it was going to be final.

For the outgoing quarter-finalists Bafana Bafana, the two points dropped three days ago against Ghana (1-1) will therefore have weighed heavily at the time of the final verdict, as will the day of recovery minus. The new president of the CAF, Patrice Motsepe, sees one of the founders of the Confederation take the team out of his country. In front of their few supporters, Sudanese players and staff could rejoice. Appointed coach in early 2020 just before the pandemic, Hubert Velud is writing one of the most beautiful pages of an already successful African career.

The starting eleven:
Sudan: Eshrein – Merghani, Saeed, Kamal, Abdalla – Safour, Mahjoub, Omer – El Tahir, Bakhit, Abdel Raman.
South Africa: Williams – Hlatshwayo, Maela, Xulu – Singh, Morena, Maboe, Motshwari – Zwane, Monare, Tau.

Already qualified, Ghana finished their knockout campaign on a good note with Sao Tome (3-1), the official points distributor in this group, thanks to goals scored by Nicholas Opoku (12th), Jordan Ayew (31st sp) and Baba Rahman (60th), Iniesta (!) saving honor for islanders (84th).

Ranking: 1. Ghana (13 pts, +15, qualified). 2. Sudan (12 pts, +6, qualified). 3. South Africa (10 pts, +1). 4. Sao Tome (0, pt -13).