home      service centre   |   publications   |   football family   |   competitions   

South Africa fall short of goal target in 2-0 victory

© Reuters 2002

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, Oct 13 (Reuters) - South Africa fell short of their intended goal target but still comfortably beat Burundi 2-0 on Sunday to go top of their African Nations Cup qualifying group.

The home side were hoping for a goal festival against the east African lightweights to improve their goal difference in group 11 but, after getting off to a quick start, failed to score again in the second half.

Patrick Mayo scored his third goal in as many matches for his country after 13 minutes when his powerful header slipped through the grasp of Burundi goalkeeper Aime Kitenge.

Kitenge was the only foreign-based player in Burundi's team and plays his club soccer in South Africa's premier league.

German-based winger Delron Buckley scored the second goal after a quick breakaway down the left in the 39th minute as South Africa dominated all phases of play.

South African goalkeeper Andre Arendse did not have a single touch of the ball in the first half of the match and made his first save with just three minutes left of the game.

Despite all their possession, South Africa missed an array of second-half chances.

Coach Ephraim Mashaba was hoping for more goals in case the group, which also comprises the Ivory Coast, is settled on goal difference at the end of the qualifiers in July.

The absence of England-based striker Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy, who plays in Spain, was evident in the second half as the home side showed a lack of experience in attack.

Bartlett, who plays for English premier league club Charlton Athletic, was injured while McCarthy was not selected after criticising South African football administrators last month.

South Africa top group 11 with four points from their first two games. Ivory Coast are second with one point and Burundi are bottom with no points.

Reports provided by

Sunday, 20 October
Seaman says he will not retire from international stage
Saturday, 19 October
South Korea coach sacked
Friday, 18 October
Boniek says he will quit if Poland miss Euro 2004
Israeli teams face heavy Cyprus security bills
Uruguayan footballers threaten to strike
Japan hopeful of Brazil friendly in March
Thursday, 17 October
England held to shock draw by Macedonia
Henry inspires France to 4-0 win over Malta
Superior Dutch sweep Austria aside
Faroese jubilant despite defeat by Germany
Pressure mounts on beleaguered Trapattoni
Mozambican coach resigns after 3-0 defeat
Ballack shines through in dull German display
Gunes unconcerned by Tugay retirement speculation
Japan coach Zico set to stand by Nakamura
Czech Republic 3 Belarus 0 - Euro under-21 result
Greece back in the hunt, says Rehhagel
Wednesday, 16 October
Eriksson wary of Macedonia threat
Tuesday, 15 October
Lizarazu vows to keep playing for France until Euro 2004
Rehhagel position 'not an issue' says Greek federation
Cyprus angered by UEFA treatment
France at full strength to take on Malta
France set to continue renaissance but Italy look shaky
Monday, 14 October
New faces in Poland squad for New Zealand friendly
Balakov doubtful for Bulgaria qualifier against Andorra
Yugoslav press praise impressive 1-1 draw in Naples
Inzaghi to miss clash with Wales
I won't quit says Italy coach Trapattoni
Croatia coach Baric called on to step down
Cyprus objects to postponement of Israel game
Dumitrescu quits as Romanian under-21 coach
McCarthy says he will quit after Euro 2004
N. Korean 1966 World Cup team revisit the past
Gambia hit Lesotho for six in African Nations Cup

  Copyright © 1994-2002 FIFA. All rights reserved.
  Copyright © 1994-2002 En-Linea, Inc. All rights reserved.