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 16th minute but the
big Orlando Pirates striker shot straight at the keeper.
Dolly then threaded a pass to Thulani Serero on the 23rd 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.