ICYMI: Bafana Bafana Wins- All Thanks To Makola

Debutant Mpho Makola the Orlando Pirates midfielder scored to hand South Africa a 1-0 victory over Senegal yesterday(Tuesday) in the Nelson Mandela Challenge football friendly match in Soweto. Playing on his club ground,the 29-year-old Orlando Pirates midfielder incredibly placed a 78th-minute shot over substitute goalkeeper Lys Gomis from outside the box.Makola was among seven changes to the side stunned 3-1 away to Mauritania last Saturday in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

It was a night of celebration for Makola, who received the man of the match award. For most of the opening minutes, the game got  down in the middle of the pitch with very little opening from the two sides. Bafana Bafana earned their first corner in the 17th minute but Senegal easily cleared the danger.

Captain Itumeleng Khune was marshalling his defence with aplomb whenever the West Africans threatened. As the home team looked the more purposeful side, they were awarded a free kick just outside the box but Makola’s deft attempt went narrowly wide.

Moments later Khune produced a one-handed save to deny Diafra Sakho an opening and from the resultant corner Senegal saw their attempt going narrowly wide. South Africa then pulled off ineffective Daylon Claasen for Jabulani Shongwe in an attempt to add danger upfront.

Thamsanqa Gabuza then hit the upright in the 43rd minute as the home team wanted the important opening goal. At the stroke of half-time, Gabuza’s well taken shot was well saved by the Senegalese keeper Khadim Ndiaye, who was definitely the busier of the two.

Soon after resumption, Andile Jali’s shot was turned for a corner by Ndiaye and from the resultant corner kick Senegal defence cleared the danger again as the match remained in a stalemate. Wave after wave of attack then saw Sibusiso Vilakazi attempting a snap shot but again Senegalese keeper stood his ground.

Moments later Vilakazi missed an empty net after he had rounded off the entire Senegal defence including the keeper but shot wide in what was probably the miss of the day. He was immediately substituted and his position taken over by Thulani Serero.

Makola then attempted another long range shot but the shot went over the bar. But he was never going to be denied as he then broke the ice on the 78th minute with a goal of high quality which gave the Senegal keeper no chance.

Senegal could have equalised three minutes later but Khune produced another good perfomance. On the 86th minute, Khune again came to the rescue of the home side. Senegal then sent a powerful shot wide as the referee added six minutes of injury time. Makola could have completed his brace but his injury time effort was cleared off the line.