South Africa beat unlucky Namibia in plate final

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Jul 07, 2017. 19:02

South African defeated Namibia 1-0 in the 2017 COSAFA Cup plate final at the Moruleng Stadium in Moruleng on Friday.

As a result, Bafana Bafana and the Brave Warriors finished fifth and sixth respectively in this year's tournament.

The Brave Warriors were awarded a glorious opportunity to take the lead just four minutes into the game after Roger Katjiteo was fouled in the South Africa box.

However, Namibia captain Ronald Ketjijere missed the target from the spot-kick with South Africa goalkeeper Boafela Pule guessing the right way.

Namibia keeper Maximilian Mbaeva was called into action in the 24th minute and he made an easy save from South Africa striker Judas Moseamedi's long range shot.

The momentum was with Bafana Bafana with Mbaeva being kept busy by the tournament hosts with their crosses into the Namibia box.

The 28-year-old shot-stopper was finally beaten in the 36th minute when Mohau Mokate scored with a deflected shot from outside the box making it 1-0 to South Africa.

South Africa were then forced to make a substitution four minutes later after Thendo Mukumela went down injured and was replaced by Sandile Mthethwa.

But Bafana managed to contain the Brave Warriors in the remaining minutes of the first-half and South Africa were leading 1-0 during the half-time break.

It should have been 2-0 to South Africa just 12 minutes into the second-half- following a good move by the four-time COSAFA Cup champions.

Nduduzo Sibiya sent Mosemedi through on goal with Mbaeva caught off his goal line, but the bulky striker's lobbed effort went wide of the target.

Bafana were enjoyed more possession against the 2015 COSAFA Cup champions and Sibiya forced Mbaeva into a save from a free-kick in the 64th minute.

The Brave Warriors' best chance fell for Denzil Haoseb with 13 minutes left on the clock, but the defender's header hit the crossbar with Pule beaten.

Namibia attacked in numbers in the closing stages of the encounter as they looked to snatch a late equalizing goal and silence the South African fans.

However, South Africa defender Mthethwa made a brilliant goal line clearance and Pule pulled off a great late save to ensure that Bafana emerged 1-0 winners over the Brave Warriors.

South Africa (1) 1 (Mokate 36')
Namibia (0) 0

South Africa: Pule, Mukumela (Mthethwa 40'), Malepe, Booysen, Gordinho, Mvala, Masalesa, Norodien (Jordan 77'), Sibiya, Mokate (Webber 86'), Moseamedi.

Namibia: Mbaeva, Haoseb, Hanamub (Gebhardt 53'), Karongee, Shitembi, Horaeb, Ketjijere, Keimuine (Shalulie 61'), Gome (Nenkavu 81'), Hotto, Katjiteo.