Bafana cruise past neighbours Namibia to keep AFCON hopes alive

Tau bravely stepped up to convert from the spot on 14 minutes, having missed in the previous 2-0 defeat to Mali, in similar circumstances when the score was also still goalless.

This time he confidently rifled his kick home, after Riaan Hanamub was adjudged to have handed the ball.

Themba Zwane wasted no time adding to the lead with his superbly taken 25th minute goal and the Mamelodi Sundowns star was clinical again when he put Bafana into a commanding lead heading into the half-time break.

Second-half substitute Thapelo Maseko killed off any hope of a Namibia comeback with his strike on 75 minutes.

It was certainly a shock to Namibia, following their impressive 1-0 defeat of Tunisia in their opening tie, and having started this game on the attack.

Peter Shalulile was impressive in the opening exchanges alongside Deon Hotto as they peppered the Bafana goal.

VAR was needed to decide Bafana's penalty and it certainly came against the run of play.

Namibia looked to respond, and a 21st minute Hotto cross from left was fired in hard and low but just behind Absolute Limbondi, whose touch took the ball wide.

Hotto then missed a simple tap-in, although the ball was whipped into the small box with pace by Hanamub.

And those misses proved to be costly for the Brave Warriors as Bafana extended their lead. Thapelo Morena cut the ball back superbly from the right flank and Zwane made no mistake as he buried the ball past Namibia stopper Lloyd Kazapua.

Zwane displayed his superb skills with his second goal as he danced past the Namibian defence inside the area before burying the ball in the far corner for his second goal.

The first half ended with a good attack from a set-piece from Namibia but Hotto fluffed his lines when the ball dropped to him inside the box.

Thapelo Morena got South Africa going at the start of the second period with an ambitious effort from 30 yards out.

Namibia saw plenty of the ball and in good areas but Hotto was again guilty of wasting a good chance to score when he took too long to get his shot away and was crowded out.

Aubrey Modiba saw a 64th minute drive from outside the box blocked in front of the goal, and Mokoena curled a 74th minute free-kick direct at the Namibian goalkeeper.

But second-half substitute Thapelo Maseko, who had started against Mali, came off the bench in the 70th minute and needed just five minutes to add his name to the scoresheet with a strong shot across the keeper to put this game to bed.

Bafana weren't content with just four goals though and remained on the attack for the final few minutes.

Mokoena's rocket of a shot on 87 minutes was the last real action of an entertaining game that left Hugo Broos' side with a chance now of qualifying for the knockout rounds ahead of a final group game with Tunisia.

Mali top Group E with four points, while Bafana in second place and fourth-placed Namibia both have three points. Tunisia prop up the group with one point.

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