COPACABANA – The ten men of South Africa’s under-23 men’s side walked away from Brasilia with a morale-boosting draw against the hosts, Brazil on Thursday night. Mothobi Mvala was sent off for two yellow cards, but that didn’t stop the rest of his side manning up and snatching a point.
There were heroes across the backline for South Africa, who had been given no chance against a star-studded home side. They certainly rode their luck, with Jesus hitting the post with the net beckoning and a nation expecting.
Itumeleng Khune was in fine form in goal, and backed up his section as an over-age player. The Bafana star was in inspired form, and he galvanised the defence in front of him to throw themselves at simply everything.
“It was a great team effort. Credit must go to all the players and the supporting staff. We did it for our country,” a thrilled Khune said.
“No one gave us a chance. We came here as an underdog to play against the host team, but we managed to play as a team. So now we have our point."
That precious point was worth even more by the end of the night, as Denmark and Iraq also played out a goalless draw. It means that the group is wide open, but South Africa have already navigated a way past the Brazil tsunami.
Abhubaker Mobara and Erick Mathoho may never play better for country, and it was just as well. Rivaldo Coetzee was also a rock, as a staunch rearguard repelled all that Neymar Jr and Jesus and Rafael threw at them.
South Africa’s captain, Keagan Dolly, had to be content with a lot less possession than usual, but the circumstances saw him roll up his sleeves and put in a defensive shift, too.
“We are very happy. We played and defended so well against Brazil, a team that we admired, that had influenced so much in South African football. No one gave us a chance, but we did well," Dolly enthused.
While South Africa now have a beaming outlook, and can enjoy tonight’s Opening Ceremony after a good night’s work in Brasilia, they know only too well that there is still plenty of work to be done.
"We have to be only focused on the next match. We shouldn't feel overexcited. This match is over. We don't have to think that we have made it,” Dolly warned.
“At the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, our team beat Brazil at the first round and they ended up not qualifying. So we must be focused on Denmark and then Iraq."
Those two games now are finals in themselves, because the hard-earned point from last night simply cannot be put to waste. - Independent Media