Staff Reporter.
South Africa beat Senegal 5-4 on penalties (0-0 after extra-time) to win the 2021 Cosafa Cup tournament at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Captain Veli Mothwa emerged as the hero on the day to lead Bafana Bafana to their first Cosafa Cup title since 2016 and fifth overall.
South Africa had not conceded a single goal throughout the course of the tournament but were in danger of suffering defeat in the shoot-out after Ethan Brooks had his attempt saved by Lions of Teranga shot-stopper Pape Ndiaye, following four successful kicks.
Mothwa denied Dominique Mendy to get the hosts back into it before scoring himself. Mohammed Ba then converted to take the shoot-out into sudden death before Nyiko Mobbie held his nerve to convert from the spot.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action though until Victor Letsoalo got in behind the Senegal defence before forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Pape N’diaye
A Siyethemba Sithebe free-kick into the box soon after was hastily cleared by a combination of Senegal defenders.
There was not much action in the first-half with Mothwa not having to make a single save, though his defence was forced to clear the ball off the line in the 40th minute following a Senegal corner.
The second half was scrappy as was the first one with neither side being able to create many clear-cut opportunities.
Bafana’s closest chance in the game was in the 70th minute as a free-kick found itself in the path of defender Njabulo Ngcobo. Ngcobo managed to direct his shot on target but it lacked power as N’Diaye made an easy save.
Pappe Djitte had the best chance of the game for Senegal in the 76th minute but did not use it well as he ended up losing composure in front of goal. Two minutes later, Bafana’s Rushine De Reuck found himself in goalscoring range after a throw-in from Maart found itself towards him but he struck over.
With virtually the last kick of the 90 minutes, Bafana was awarded a free kick just outside the box. The effort ended up deflecting off the Senegal wall before N’Diaye made an easy save.
The tie remained cagey and ultimately and almost inevitably went to penalties, with Bafana prevailing as Motha denied Mendy after Ethan Brooks had his spotkick saved, and N’diaye missed the crucial kick as the shootout went to sudden death.