Former African Cup of Nations champions, and hosts of the 2010 World Cup Finals, South Africa, were plunged deeper into their latest footballing crisis having lost 1-0 to Zambia in their last match in the tournament, after suffering an embarrassing early goal-less exit from the African Cup of Nations.

Without a win, and without even scoring a single goal in the tournament, Veteran South Africa coach Ted Dumitru's ‘Bafana Bafana’ have had now suffered one of the biggest embarrassments in their history, with fans now shouting for a change in management.

After missing out on this year's World Cup in Germany, South Africa have now failed miserably in its second straight campaign. Guinea ending up winning Group C with nine points, having won all their matches, while current holders Tunisia finished with six and Zambia with three.

South Africa did try to get something from the match, pressing the Zambians for most of the match, and they missed two glaring chances to score in the first half.

Daniel Tshabalala slipped over in the goalmouth in the 42nd with the ball at his feet, and Siyabonga Nomvethe botched a pinpoint cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala during first half injury-time.

Portsmouth FC striker Collins Mbesuma led the Chipolopolo's counter-attacks, and nearly scored with a great back flick, sending the ball from James Chamanga just wide of the South African goal.

Zambia appeared to go ahead seconds before the break with a shot from Katongo, but his goal was disallowed by a very late offside call.

In the second half, Kalusha Bwalya's Zambians came out fighting, and meanwhile holding the South Africa attack at bay.

A header from Katongo beat South African keeper Calvin Marlin in the 49th but unfortunately for the Chipolopolo's, skimmed the post and went wide.

But it was Katongo who eventually sank the Bafana Bafana’s dreams, scoring from a cross from Clive Hachilensa in the 73rd minute to score the only goal of the game, making it three defeats in a row for the hosts of the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati