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South Africa 0-0 Sierra Leone: Bafana miss out on 2012 African Cup of Nations |
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South Africa failed to qualify to the 2012 African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea despite playing to a goalless draw against Sierra Leone in front of a home crowd at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Egypt's 3-0 win over Niger ensured that South Africa, Sierra Leone and Niger all finished tied for the top spot with nine points apiece. While South Africa possessed a better goal differential, Niger held the advantage where it counted, posting a better head-to-head record against the other two teams.
Bafana’s left back woes continued with Punch Masenamela failing a late match fitness test and for the second time in the qualifiers, and Mosimane opted to use Siboniso Gaxa as a makeshift fullback. The decision paid dividends as the Belgium-based defender had a good game, combining well with Daylon Claasen who started in the absence of skipper Steven Pienaar.
The first real chance of the game fell to Bafana striker Katlego Mphela in the 39th minute from a free kick outside the box. The Sundowns marksman watched in agony as his shot was calmly collected by the Sierra Leone goalkeeper.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/84/africa/2011/10/08/2702560/south-africa-0-0-sierra-leone-bafana-miss-out-on-2012
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