South African
football of 2002 even more reminded of that Italian style of Euro 2000.
From a crowded defence the South Africans launched clearcut and fast counter
attacks.
But three games without
goals speak out clearly on the lack of needed clinical finishing of those
counter opportunities and the overemphasis of careful defensive work.
Against Burkina Faso
number one striker Shaun Bartlett had been injured and a handful of chances
had been blown. Ghana had proven to be too resilient and although South
Africa had looked gradually superior in both matches they had only achieved
two scoreless draws after two matches, leaving them with a must win situation
against group leaders Morocco before the third.
Overcareful they did
not have a sole attempt on goal in the first thirty minutes to bring on
Nomvete then for a tactical change. He ignited the first goal scene for
the South Africans to take a flattering lead. After the break the South
Africans exploited the weak right defensive side of the Noth Africans twice
more to win their only match.
Not different the tactics
in the quarter final. South Africa patiently waited for end of the match,
possible unconcentration of the hosts and counter opportunities. But this
proved too little as it was the hosts who took the lead on an invidual
effort out of the blue leaving the South Africans with only short time
to score themselves. Though Bartlett returned they were not able to force
the equaliser and had to leave Mali in disappointment.
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