The World Cup 2018 qualifier between Burkina Faso and Bafana Bafana took centre stage on the football scene this weekend, THABANG KGELEDI takes a look at the key take aways from the encounter.

Trending up – A well-deserved draw

One of the key performers in Saturday afternoon’s fixture was Itumeleng Khune. The Kaizer Chiefs stopper had one of his best games in a Bafana Bafana jersey and was the the only thing standing between Burkina Faso and three points qualifying points. This crucial encounter saw a mature Khune command his area with expert skill and made several very good saves and, unlike what we have become accustomed to in the past, he didn’t yell at his defenders after they had committed silly mistakes. Instead, the man they call ‘Spider-kid’ was quick to encourage his teammates to keep focused and to be switched on at all times.

Further notable performances were delivered by midfield creative duo Thulani Serero and Mpho Makola. Serero, who has been frozen out by club side Ajax Amsterdam due to him not being favoured by the coach Peter Bosz, combined well with Orlando Pirates’ creative midfielder Makola in the small pockets of space between the opposition midfield and defence. Skilful tiki-taka type one-two’s between the pair caused havoc for the defenders on the night.

Bafana Bafana have only claimed one win from their last four away games in competitive matches in Africa. And while conspiracy theorists claim that Caf has something against South Arica; those folk readily claim refereeing calls don’t seem to go our way, with bogus penalties awarded against us and exorbitant numbers of additional minutes are added on at the end of regulation when Bafana is leading a game. The list can go one for as long as one listens to these passionate fans. Erick Mathoho was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box (he was in fact outside the area) and a number of decisions going the way of the home side, Shakes Mashaba’s men kept their cool and left with a well-earned point.

Despite the lead being squandered in the final seconds of the game, coming away with a point from a hostile crowd inside the Ouagadougou stadium should be a feat that is commended.

Trending down – Letting it slip

Mashaba’s tactics were a bit all over the place. In the first half, he employed the pressing game, pressuring Burkina Faso high up in their half. In theory, this seemed like a good idea but practically it didn’t work out the way it should have. Bafana’s forwards did unsettle the Burkinabe defenders but once the ball bypassed the three South African attacking players into the midfielders, who then played the ball to their eager attacking players, it left the back four in 1 v 1 situations which the offensive players almost always won.

Keagan Dolly who has been a star for his club side Mamelodi Sundowns looked a shell of himself in this game and was rightfully substituted in the 66th minute. His teammate Hlompo Kekana also didn’t have one his better matches. There were too many occasions he would leave midfielder partner Dean Furman with too much space to cover after he had been caught in an attacking area and Burkina Faso were on the offensive. Because of Kekana’s forays into the attacking third and Mashaba’s tactics, the defensive line of Rama Mphahlele, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabo Matlaba and Eric Mathoho were left unprotected and the hosts, especially the Turkish-based Préjuce Nakoulma, exposed them.

Only one team in the group will qualify for the World Cup and in-form Senegal have already registered their first win as they cruised past  Cape Verde Islands 2-0. Bafana Bafana had an opportunity to snatch a crucial win away from home but a lack of focus ultimately cost them two crucial points.

Their next fixture is a home game against the Lions Teranga on 7 November is already turning into a must win-game for South Africa.