Posted in News on Apr 29, 2010.
Veteran striker Surprise Moriri punished sloppy defending off a
cross to drive a low shot into the corner of the net on 51 minutes
and set up Bafana Bafana for a first success in four
international outings.
Siyabonga Nomvete added a second five mintues from full-time in
this German city as he ran on to a pass from fellow substitute
Andile Jali and slammed the ball wide of goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr
into the net.
Jamaica, last-minute replacements for China, faded after failing
to convert a few first-half chances in a game between teams relying
almost exclusively on home-based players.
South Africa made one change from the team held 0-0 by fellow
qualifiers North Korea in Frankfurt last week with Siboniso Gaxa
replacing Thabo Nthethe at rightback.
Jamaica arrived in Germany via the United States just 10 hours
before the kick-off with a squad of local players and San Jose
Earthquakes striker Ryan Johnson.
With three previous matches between the countries drawn and
delivering only two goals it was no surprise that the first half
ended goalless before a few hundred spectators.
South Africa had scored just five goals in six matches since
Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreirra returned last November for
a second spell in charge.
They could have added to that total less than two minutes into
the match as a glancing Moriri header off a Siphiwe Tshabalala free
kick forced Kerr into an acrobatic parry at the expense of a
corner.
But if the largely South Africa-supporting crowd thought this
was the start of a siege on the Jamaican goalmouth they were sadly
mistaken with the Reggae Boyz coming close to scoring twice by the
half-hour mark.
Sleepy South Africa failed to pick up Dicoy Williams off a
Xavian Virgo free kick and his near-post header beat goalkeeper
Itumeleng Khune and flew just over the bar.
And when the Caribbean team launched a lightning counter-attack
in perfect conditions, Navion Boyd was staring at an unguarded
route toward goal only to be let down by a poor first touch.
South Africa finished the opening half with a flourish and Kerr
did well to hold a volley from striker Katlego Mphela, seeking to
improve his one-goal input from the six matches since Parreira
replaced compatriot Joel Santana.
The deadlock was finally broken six minutes into the second half
in comical fashion as two defenders failed to cut off a cross that
appeared to pose no threat and Moriri had time and space to beat
Kerr with a low shot.
Moriri made way soon after for Nomvete, a 32-year-old from the
Soweto-based Moroka Swallows club recalled for the Germany camp
three years after last appearing in Bafana Bafana colours.
And Nomvete repaid the faith of Parreira and the South African
media who campaigned hard for his inclusion in the squad when he
put the result beyond doubt.