By Jerome C. Willie, Jr. boyzwill26@gmail.com
South Africa return to the continental stage after edging past Liberia: As Mayambela’s lone goal in the second half sealed South Africa’s qualification.
It is all over for the Lone Star of Liberia qualification for the 2023 African Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast as Coach Hugo Broos men Bafana Bafana of South Africa pinned the Lone Star of Liberia at home at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville on Tuesday, 28 March 2023.
Orlando Pirates central forward Lerato Zakhele Lepasa and Aris Li Massol FC player Mihlali Mayambela goals in each half sealed a narrow 2-1 away win for South Africa over Liberia .
The South African top-tier club Orlando Pirates central forward Lepasa got on the scoresheet in the 19th minute of the first half from a careless mistake from Allen Njie in the center park of the midfield from Liberia but it was Williams Jerbor sensational strike from outside the 18-yard box that earned a point for Liberia as both teams played to a one-all draw.
As second half resumes the visitor’s coordinate well in midfield but squandered several chances in the early minutes of the second half.
As both team continues the fight for who book a ticket for Ivory Coast it was the Cypriot top-tier club skipper Mihlali Mayambela’s goal in the 53rd- minute from a poor goalkeeping from Tommy Songo after he touches the ball right in the 6-yard box that saw Mayambela scoring from such piece to give South Africa a narrow 2-1 away win over South Africa.
The win moves South Africa on the table with 4 points with just a game remaining to climax the games in Group K of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
South Africa joined Group K leader Morroco to book a ticket to the competition in Ivory Coast.
Teams who have qualified for the 2023 African Cup of Nations so far include:
🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire (Hosts)
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇩🇿 Algeria
🇳🇦 Namibia
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇸🇳 Senegal
In another development, CAF have confirmed that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will officially commence on Saturday, January 13, 2024, and end on February 11, 2024.
The opening match will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.