Lerato Mbhiza
Bafana Bafana emerged 4-0 winners over the hapless Brave Warriors, the biggest win so far in the tournament.
Bafana Bafana veteran Themba Zwane scored twice as they comfortably overcame neighbours Namibia. Zwane’s double at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Ivory Coast, came after Percy Tau converted a 14th-minute penalty, having fired one wide in their first match against Mali last week, while substitute Thapelo Maseko netted the fourth.
Bafana, whose victory margin was the biggest of the tournament, moved ahead of Namibia on goal difference in the group stage, behind leaders Mali who have four points but two points ahead of top-seeded Tunisia, who have one.
Namibia had upset Tunisia in their opening game and might have gone ahead early against their neighbours had key striker Peter Shalulile taken two good early chances. He missed a sitter from right in front of goal in the eighth minute, facing his club mate Ronwen Williams in the South African goal.
Zwane then finished off a smart pullback from Morena to make it 2-0 in the 25th minute and glided past the defence for the third goal in the 40th minute, outpacing the Namibia backs before slotting home.
Maseko’s speed was also key in the fourth goal in the 75th minute as he ran onto a ball played over the midfield, sprinting away to score.
SA, beaten 2-0 by Mali in their opening game, conclude their group campaign against Tunisia, who will need a win to stand any chance of progressing, while Namibia go up against ali.
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