Bafana’s missed chances punished by Panama in Cape Town clash

Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-1 defeat to Panama in an international friendly in Cape Town on Tuesday night. The sides met for the second time in four days following their goalless stalemate at Moses Mabhida.
 
Both teams tweaked their starting line-ups, to give players minutes as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup in June. Hugo Broos was looking for an improved performance from his side after their draw in Durban.
 
The sides walked out of the tunnel to a thunderous reception at a sold-out DHL Stadium. The excitement and energy at kick-off was palpable, with the teams taking a pragmatic approach in the early exchanges. The first big chance fell to the visitors after half an hour, but Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams, was equal to the task.
 
Lyle Foster had a half-chance in just five minutes, but Bongokuhle Hlongwane should’ve given South Africa the lead before half-time. The South African attacker breached the Panama defense and sent the goalkeeper the wrong but sent his effort wide of the goal as the first period ended goalless.

The teams looked to impose themselves on the game, with the tourists creating the first chance as José Fajardo fired a warning shot wide of Renaldo Leaner’s goal after he replaced Williams in the South African goal for the second period. The Central Americans opened the scoring on the 58-minute mark when Leaner parried Ismael Diaz’s shot into the path of José Córdoba, who tapped home from close range.
 
DHL Stadium erupted six minutes later when Mbekezeli Mbokazi fired a rocket past Orlando Mosquera in the Panama goal. That strike saw Bafana up their tempo in search of the lead, but the hosts failed to convert their chances. Oswin Appollis delivered a teasing ball into the box, but Evidence Makgopa’s header crept over the crossbar ten minutes later.

Hugo Broos’ side were made to rue their missed chances when Panama regained the lead courtesy of a Jiovany Ramos header 13-minutes from full-time after the hosts failed to clear their lines. The tourists were able to take the sting out of the game, breaking any Bafana momentum in the closing stages to hang on for the victory.
 
Bafana’s Belgian tactician conceded that finding the back of the net needs to be worked on ahead of the World Cup. 

“We can work on that certainly. Maybe there will be other players that we can see in the next months, again, and that can make our team better and stronger,” said the Bafana coach.