Bafana cruise to victory in Gambia

Cape Town - Rising star Keagan Dolly inspired Bafana Bafana to a resounding 4-0 win over Gambia at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on a sweltering Saturday afternoon.

The Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder set-up the two first half goals for Thamsanqa Gabuza and completed a memorable afternoon with two second half stunners which earned him the man of the match award and several new admirers in this laid back West African nation.

And by the end of the match most Gambians football lovers sang the praises of the U-23 captain for his incredible performance.

And yet despite the demolition job, it was the Gambians that made the bright start forcing two early raids into the Bafana Bafana area but the visitors managed to wade off the threat.

However, the visitors slowly came back into the game with Andile Jali and Dolly taking charge of the midfield.

First Jali sent a delicate pass to Gabuza on the 16^th minute but the big Orlando Pirates striker shot straight at the keeper.

Dolly then threaded a pass to Thulani Serero on the 23^rd minute but the Ajax Amasterdam midfielder’s effort went narrowly wide and he seemed to have injured his troublesome knee during the attempt and was immediately replaced by Sibusiso Vilakazi.

But with South Africa creating all the good chances, Gabuza was never going to be denied as he turned inside the box to fire past Alagie Nyabally to make it 1-0 following another tantalizing pass by Dolly.

The mobile Gabuza showed his intent by rushing to the camera man and shoved his face as a warning that he was going to terrorise Gambia for the rest of the afternoon.

And for sure he returned moments later to fire the visitors into a comfortable 2-0 lead in yet another identical move in which the rampaging Dolly went on the run on the left wing, left the Gambia right back Gregory Sambou for the dead before crossing for Gabuza to do the honours.

It could have been a complete rout as substitute Vilakazi wasted a good chance moments later before Gabuza and Langerman also took turns to squander good chances.

But the Ivory Coast referee was guilty of not giving Bafana Bafana a penalty after Vilakazi was harshly brought down in the box towards the end of the first half but somehow contrived to wave play on.

The visitors went to the break on top of their game and upon return could have scored the third moments into the game but a clever shot by Hlompho Kekana which was dummied by Gabuza saw the Gambian keeper producing a good save.

Dolly was never going to be denied though as he put an icing on the cake which some two amazing strikes.

First, he saw the keeper poorly positioned and let off a powerful shot that hit the back of the net to set off wild celebrations from the Bafana Bafana bench.

He was not finished as towards the end, he repeated the same feat, letting off a venomous shot to seal a resounding 4-0 victory.