CHAN 2024: Wasteful Bafana Bafana made to wait for quarter-final spot

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CHAN 2024: Wasteful Bafana Bafana made to wait for quarter-final spot
Thabiso Kutumela of South Africa during their CHAN 2024 match against Niger. Photo - CAF

Bafana Bafana will have to do it the hard way to seal their place in the quarter-final of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) after a goalless draw against minnows Niger on Friday.

Bafana Bafana needed a win to edge closer to the last eight but could not break down Niger as a host of wasted chances saw them miss out on an opportunity to win.

Niger were the first to test South Africa goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu after 13 minutes, forcing him into a full stretch, to punch the ball way but they thought they would score from the penalty spot three minutes later.

Missed chances for South Africa

Ridouane Assane appeared to have brought down Harold Majadibodu in the box and the referee pointed to the spot but a VAR check showed that the midfielder had won the ball.

There was not much to separate the two sides until the 39th minute when Xulu was called into action to keep away a great shot from a freekick and in time added on, Bafana Bafana should have gone ahead.

Keagan Dolly squared the ball to Neo Maema who found Philip Ndlondlo but the new Marumo Gallants midfielder could not beat the goalkeeper at the near post.

Then just before halftime, Thabiso Kutumela should have scored when he was played in on goal but his shot hit the goalkeeper but Ndlondlo had an opportunity to atone for the mistake on the rebound but his attempt was kept out by an onrushing defender.

What next for Bafana Bafana?

Algeria vs Bafana Bafana CHAN
Image – SuperSport

There was a lengthy VAR check for a possible handball from the defender but he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

After halftime, Dolly had an attempt on the break just upon resumption and in the 58th minute, Niger had their best chance of the game when Moussa Moudou found himself through on goal in between the two centre-backs but fired over.

South Africa now have five points, same as Algeria, and one behind Uganda in Group C, and must now beat the co-hosts on Monday to seal their place in the quarter-final.  

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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