South Africa Bafana Bafana beats Sao Tome 4-2 to put one foot in the AFCON competition in Cameroon

The game was played in Port Elizabeth, South Africa as agreed by both sides.

Sao Tome produced a brave performance, taking an early lead and holding South Africa till the 86th minute. But they bowed to two late goals by their presumed visitors.

Themba Zwane and Percy Tau scored a brace each as Bafana Bafana edged closer towards qualification for the Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations tournament with a good win over Sao Tome at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday afternoon.

In a match played in drizzling weather, Zwane and Tau each scored two goals as Molefi Ntseki’s charges outgunned a fighting Sao Tome.

The islanders were the first off the blocks and took the lead in the 12^th minute when captain Sousa Pontes headed home unmarked in the box from a corner kick.

Bafana then tried to reply quickly but both Manyama and Themba Zwane failed to find the back of the net.

Sao Tome were always threatening on counter attacks and forced a couple of corners in quick succession.

Pontes had another free header on the 35^th minute from another corner but this time his effort went narrowly wide as Sao Tome threatened to extend their lead.

It was an early wake up call for Bafana Bafana as they started to create chances and on the 39^th minutes, Zwane slotted home after being put through by Dean Furman to make it 1-1.

The two teams went to the break deadlocked but it was the home team that started brightly and Manyama hit the post on the 49^th minute when the Sao Tome goalkeeper was well beaten.

Two minutes later, Manyama again missed another opportunity, this time from a Tau attempt as the home team continued to search for the second goal.

Tau’s shot was then cleared off the line as Bafana Bafana continued to pile the pressure. Moments later both Zungu and Tau missed some gilt edged chances.

Tau then gave Bafana Bafana the lead with a powerful shot from inside the box after dancing past a number of defenders.

But that joy was short-lived as Harramiz Soares popped in from the blind side to head a cross past Ronwen Williams to make it 2-2.

Never to allow this to dampen them Bafana Bafana continued to push forward and on the 87^th minute Zwane finished off a Kermit Erasmus effort to make it 3-2.

It was soon 4-2 as Tau planted home after a perfect pass by outstanding Zwane.

With 9 points from 4 games, Bafana Bafana have one foot into the finals in Cameroon.

Total AFCON 2021 Qualifiers Group C Standings

1.     Ghana – 9 points plus 5 goals

2.     South Africa – 9 points plus 3 goals

3.     Sudan – 3 points plus 1 goal

4.     Sao Tome and Principe – 0 points minus 9 goals

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