South Africa have revived their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over regional rivals Namibia in a Group E match played at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Sunday night.
Percy Tau opened the scoring before Themba Zwane added two outstanding goals, as Bafana Bafana blitzed the wasteful Brave Warriors and effectively had the game wrapped up inside the first 40 minutes.
Thapelo Maseko added a fourth in the second half to round out a fine display from the 1996 continental champions.
𝐁𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 🎇
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 21, 2024
Hugo Broos' side secure a victory against Namibia to stay on course for a knockout spot in Group E 💪#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/m0LGkFH14S
The result sees South Africa rise to second place on the log on three points, one behind leaders Mali, with Namibia dropping back to third place (three points), and Tunisia (one point) rounding out the quartet.
Group E standings after match day 2 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #bafanaPride pic.twitter.com/eKKmEno73w
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 21, 2024
Namibia had early attacking salvoes from Prins Tjiueza and Peter Shalulile – neither of which was capitalised on.
South Africa were then awarded a penalty – via a VAR review – for an inadvertent hand-ball from Namibia defender Riaan Hanamub.
Percy Tau, who missed a spot kick in the first match against Mali, secured redemption with a ruthless finish from the penalty to make it 1-0 in favour of Bafana Bafana in the 14th minute.
The Brave Warriors created fine chances to equalise, with Hanamub putting in a couple of great crosses from the left, but they again failed to convert and were punished by a second South African goal.
On 25 minutes Bafana opened space down the right for Thapelo Morena – he provided a low cutback to pick out the late run into the box of Themba Zwane, who swept home a superb first-time finish to make it 2-0.
Ten minutes later Sphephelo Sithole had an opportunity to put South Africa three goals up, as Teboho Mokoena’s corner kick evaded the goalkeeper’s grasp, but his downward header from close range bounced up and over the crossbar.
Yet Bafana Bafana only had to wait until the 40th minute to make it 3-0, with Zwane picking up a pass from Evidence Makgopa, powering down the left of the penalty area and providing another classy finish past Lloyd Kazapua.
Half time highs!!! #BafanaPride #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/VQgNnvz2rp
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 21, 2024
Bafana Bafana are in a celebrating mood tonight 🤩#RSANAM | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/NHVcKBTlc6
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2024
Namibia made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Ngero Katua and Bethuel Muzeu off the bench, but they were unable to gain a foothold in the match and South Africa ultimately added to their advantage in the 75th minute when substitute Thapelo Maseko ran onto Mokoena’s long ball and fired a drive through the grasp of the goalkeeper.
What winning feels like! Thank you South Africa, it was all 4 YOU! #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #BafanPride pic.twitter.com/kjom6XmegM
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 21, 2024
The teams will wrap up their Group E campaigns on Wednesday 24 January, with South Africa tackling Tunisia in Korhogo, at the same time that Namibia face Mali in San-Pedro.
South Africa (3) 4 (Tau 14’ pen, Zwane 25’, 40’, Maseko 75’)
Namibia 0
SOUTH AFRICA: Williams, Mudau, Mvala, Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena (Adams 90+3’), Sithole (Monare 70’), Morena (Mayambela 80’), Zwane (Maseko 70’), Tau, Makgopa (Lepasa 80’)
NAMIBIA: Kazapua, Nyambe (Kamatuka 73’), Amutenya, Haukongo, Hanamub, Petrus, Limbondi (Katua 46’), Shitembi (Muzeu 46’), Tjiueza (Rudath 73’), Hotto, Shalulile