Share

Bafana's dreams in tatters

Pretoria - Uruguay's Diego Forlan blasted a stunning 25-metre goal in the 24th minute and added a penalty kick as the two-time world champions beat host nation South Africa 3-0 Wednesday in a Soccer World Cup match.

As a result, the South Americans moved top of the Group A standings by winning the first match of the second phase of opening-round World Cup play, with Group A rivals France and Mexico set to meet on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid star Forlan opened the scoring by slamming a right-footed shot from well outside the penalty area which tucked under the crossbar, leaving South African goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune helpless.

The South Africans were undone in the 76th minute when Khune was issued a red card by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca.

Khune was trying to keep the ball from Ajax star Luis Suarez but caught the front of the Uruguyan's left boot with his foot and was immediately dismissed.

Reserve goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs entered in place of South African striker Steven Pienaar to replace Khune, but was helpless to deny Forlan's powerful penalty kick high to his left and into the net in the 80th minute.

The 10-man hosts pressed forward but were largely contained by the South Americans and they killed the game off with Porto's Alvaro Pereira adding a final goal for Uruguay in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

South Africa had been unbeaten in their past 13 games under Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who guided his homeland to the 1994 World Cup crown.

The match came on South Africa's Youth Day holiday, the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising that galvanized the fight for freedom by black South Africans and helped lead to the end of apartheid in the 1990s.

"Bafana Bafana" had hoped to provide a brighter bit of history for South Africans to remember on June 16, but the disappointing defeat delivered a major blow to the team's bid to avoid being the first host ousted in the first round.

South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, who plays for Fulham, picked up a yellow card in the 42nd minute, his second in as many matches meaning he misses a potentially decisive final group match against France next Tuesday.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE