No Dakar rally from Baby Bafana after poor defending

Baby Bafana have to at least finish in third place, as only the top three of the eight-nation tournament book a ticket to Brazil.

The side, coached by Bafana Bafana assistant Owen da Gama, got off on the wrong foot when they conceded two early goals against hosts Senegal.

They had to chase the game having allowed Ibrahim Keita to convert from a spot kick in the 16th minute, as well as in open play five minutes later.

SA had an opportunity to bounce back when they were awarded a penalty by referee Redouane Jiyed from Morocco.

It was midfield hard-man Phumlani Ntshangase who stepped up to pull a goal back, to give Da Gama’s men hope they would grab an equaliser and even go on to win the tie.

Goals by Keita came as a result of poor defending by captain Kwanda Mngonyama, allowing the striker to get the better of him with strength and pace. Mngonyama committed a foul that led to the penalty.

For Senegal’s second, it was Abbubaker Mobara who committed the error, allowing Keita to again find the space behind the Baby Bafana defence and increase Senegal’s lead.

The South Africans had enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession in the early minutes, with winger Phakamani Mahlambi proving too much for the opposition defence with his impressive speed.

It looked like he would be decisive in helping his team get ahead, but Senegal, who had the backing of the home supporters, grabbed an unexpected lead.

Later on, the young lions put the game to bed when Sidy Sarr, who had started the match on the bench, controlled a high ball in the box to curl it past goalkeeper Ricardo Goss in the 87th minute.

For Senegal, this victory will have set the tone for the rest of their group matches and their quest to get to Rio next year.

But for Da Gama and his men, it is back to the drawing board, with clear question marks over the defence, where skipper Mngonyama, Rivaldo Coetzee, Tshepo Rikhotso and Denwin Farmer were all operating.

Deolin Mekoa replaced Rikhotso five minutes into the second half, but Senegal were still dominant whenever they got the ball in the opposition half.

There was not enough upfront for South Africa either, where Siphelele Ntshangase looked out of sorts.

Keagan Dolly, who has been such a delight to watch at Mamelodi Sundowns this sea- son, was a mere pedestrian.

The heat might have also taken its toll on the South Africans, who left last Tuesday evening to adapt to their new surroundings.

The clash against Zambia could determine whether SA has two representatives in Rio or one – Banyana Banyana, who are already through.

A Neymar double, a spectacular volley from Luis Suarez and a goal for Lionel Messi saw Barcelona’s unstoppable strike force sweep aside Real Sociedad 4-0 yesterday and extend their lead at the top of Spain’s La Liga to seven points.

Neymar slotted home a Dani Alves cross after 22 min- utes and Alves was again the provider for Suarez, who acrobatically beat Real keeper Geronimo Rulli before halftime to take his tally to 11 goals in seven games.

La Liga’s top scorer, Neymar, took his tally to 14 so far this season as he knocked in a Jeremy Mathieu cross after 53 minutes and in injury time he set up Messi to score from close range.

Barca have 33 points from 13 games with Atletico Madrid on 26.

Real Madrid, who were hammered 4-0 by Barca last weekend, and are now nine points off the pace, play Eibar today. – Reuters