Bafana Bafana produced a subdued performance as they played out to a 0-0 draw with Libya in their Group E Afcon qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Bafana came into the game looking to take control of the group after their opening 2-0 victory over group favourites Nigeria.
READ: ‘Tau knew that he wouldn’t play for Brighton’
Group E leaders Libya, on the other hand, were also looking for their second victory of the qualifying campaign after their 5-1 victory over Seychelles in the opening round.
This was the first time the two sides met in a competitive game and while Stuart Baxter’s men were largely expected to pick up the three points, they were coming up against a Libyan side which has forged a reputation of being a tough nut to crack in recent years.
As expected Bafana Bafana were afforded all the possession at the start of the game with the Libyans happy to sit back, defend deep and look to hit their hosts on the counter.
The first real chance of the game fell to Dean Furman who won the ball high up the pitch and looked to catch the Libya goalkeeper off his line. His chipped shot, however, drifted over the cross bar.
It was then the turn of the Libyans to go close as Abdoul Salah looked to latch onto a cross, but his effort bounced off his knee and hit the post with 15 minutes gone.
South Africa then had their keeper Itumeleng Khune to thank as he pulled off two top quality saves to keep the scores level. Bafana kept the ball well, but the away team were the ones looking more likely to score in the opening 25 minutes.
ALSO READ: Orlando Pirates duo Maela, Mulenga on the mend
Good turn and shoot by Tau but it falls into the arms of the keeper. It remains goalless in Durban #SAvsLibya #AFCON2019Q @SAFA_net
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 8, 2018
Baxter’s men then began to find their feet with Percy Tau testing Muhammad Nashnoush in the Libya goal after a silky turn inside the box with 35 minutes played.
Bafana were positive in the last 10 minutes of the half but they struggled to break down the resilient defence of their opposition.
Goalless at half-time, with the away side probably the happier of the two teams heading into the break.
Baxter brought on target man Bradley Grobler at the start of the second half as Bafana looked to change their tactics.
The change gave Bafana an added stability, they, however, still struggled to break down the Mediterranean Knights in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
As time began to pass in the second half, Libya were seemingly happy to hold out for a draw while Bafana still showed an attacking intent.
Bafana then almost grabbed the lead with five minutes left when Sifiso Hlanti whipped in a dangerous ball which was met by the head of Grobler, the striker however could not direct his header on goal.
In the end, Bafana just couldn’t produce the moment of quality needed to get past the stubborn defence of their visitors as the game finished goalless.
Both teams move onto four points in the group, but after Nigeria beat Seychelles 3-0 the group is now wide open.
ALSO READ: I don’t want to let anyone down – Cardoso
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
