Despite taking the lead on three separate occasions, South Africa suffered a 4-3 loss against France in their second game at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to end their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
After losing their opener against hosts Japan 1-0, South Africa made a couple of changes to the starting line-up as Nkosingiphile Ngocbo and Kobamelo Kodisang came in for Thendo Mukumela and Goodman Mosele.
The young South Africans started the game brightly as they looked to silence the critics who questioned their tactics in the opener against Japan.
It took 14 minutes for the games first chance as South Africa were awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box but Luther Singh’s well struck free kick was expertly kept out by French goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni.
David Notoane’s side continued to press forward as first Evidence Makgopa went close in the 23rd minute as he smashed the post with a first-time strike after managing to get behind the French defence, before Kodisang was denied by Bernardoni in a one-on-one situation.
France had the ball in the back of the net minutes later Andre Gignac was allowed to slip in and slot past Ronwen Williams, but celebrations were cut short due to the offside flag.
South Africa were then handed a golden chance to open the scoring just before the break agyer Kodisang was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Singh stepped up to the spot but was unable to take advantage as he smashed his shot against the crossbar as the teams went into the break level.
Things exploded into life in the second half as the South Africans broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute as Kodisang ghosted in behind before rounding the keeper and sending the ball into an empty net.
France, however, hit back within four minutes as Andre-Pierre Gignac fired home from close range to level matters.
Evidence Makgopa, though, fired his side back into the lead as he smashed home a volley at the front post with 17 minutes to play.
Gignac, however, was proving to be a menace as headed home from inside the six-yard box just five minutes after Makgopa’s strike as neither side were willing to step back.
South Africa must have though the netted the winner when Teboho Mokoena curled home a sumptuous strike into the top-right corner with nine minutes to play, but again the French hit back as Ronwen Williams gave away a penalty, before Gignac stepped up to seal his hattrick.
The French side was not done though as the broke South African hearts with a winner in the second minute of added time as Teji Savanier got on the end of a Gignac pass before firing home the winner for his side.
Disappointment for South Africa who produced a much-improved performance going forward, but were let down at the back with the loss ending their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
