By SANDRA MWILA At Heroes National Stadium –
South Africa 1 Guinea 2
SOUTH Africa captain Tercious Malepe and Katlego Mohamme yesterday gifted Guinea the 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal.
With the game tied at 1-all with six minutes remaining, Malepe handled inside the box and Burkina Faso referee Juste Ephreme wasted no time pointing to the spot as Naby Bangoura calmly converted the ball.
It was South Africa who took an early lead in the fifth minute through Liam Jordan who unleashed a thunderbolt past goal keeper Moussa Camara after getting to an end of a Wiseman Meyiwa cross.
But a terrible mistake by defender Mohamme saw him beat his own keeper Sanele Tshabalala to level scores for Guinea.
Guinea had a chance to punish South Africa in the 22nd minute after Daouda Camara broke loose on the left wing lining up the ball up for a shot but an alert Siyabonga Ngezana was quickest to clear the ball.
South Africa attempted to level matters in the 90th minute when Sipho Mbule unleashed a shot at the edge of the box only to be saved by an alert Camara as Zambian fans, who were supporting the Amajita, were left disappointed.
Guinea coach Mandjou Diallo said he is satisfied with winning the bronze medal.
“We are happy that we have achieved our objectives and we learnt a lot from various opponents,” he said.
South Africa coach Thabo Senong said his objective at the AFCON was achieved and was not disappointed with the loss.
“As a coach, I am proud of the boys because they played their hearts out. We played a tough opposition and it has helped me evaluate the team,” he said.
Asked about the referee decision to hand Guinea the penalty, Senong said as a coach he never focuses on the referee’s decisions but on the opponent.
“The best team won and we learnt lessons in the tournament that will help the team as we prepare for the World Cup,” Senonge said.