Mambas down Amabinneplaas
Mambas down Amabinneplaas
Posted: 2009-11-02 10:09
Mozambique beat South Africa’s Amabinneplaas 1-0 to claim bronze in the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge third/fourth-place play-off at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, Momed Hagi’s late strike seven minutes from time was enough to separate the two sides.
Mozambique had the first real opening of the game when Ruby Pamara rounded South African goalkeeper Buti Khoza, but his shot from acute angle found the side-netting instead of the goal.
Pamara again found himself set free, this time 30-yards from goal, but as he went to chip Khoza he was blocked by Wayne Matle and the danger cleared. Alcindor Cumae blasted over soon afterwards.
Khoza made a fine double-save from Samuel Chapanga and then Carlos Parruque as Mozambique continued to look the most likely to break the deadlock.
Khoza was again called on to deflect the ball behind the on-rushing Pamara for what otherwise would have been the simplest of tap-ins for the Mamba forward.
Keogemetse Wolff then cleared off the line from Momed Hagi as Mozambique inched closer to the opener, while at the other end Rudzani Ramudzuli had a rare South African effort, but put his header over the bar.
Hagi went close with one final attempt in the first half for Mozambique, but his header was hooked away by Warren Bishop, though it looked to be travelling wide in any case.
Oupa Mayisa had the first shot after the break, but it sailed high and wide as South Africa came out for the second period with renewed vigour.
Wolff got a vital touch just as Paramba was about to pull the trigger, but just as it looked as though penalties would be looming, Hagi finally got the goal Mozambique's play deserved as he capitalised on some sloppy South African defending to rifle the ball past Khoza.
South Africa had a good free-kick opportunity 30-yards out, but Matle put the ball well over the bar and The Mambas were able to hold on for the win and third place.
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