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SA CABINET CONGRATULATES BAFANA BAFANA

18 June 2009

Rustenburg - Government has congratulated Bafana Bafana for their performance against New Zealand last night.

"Government congratulates Bafana Bafana for their excellent performance against New Zealand last night and wishes them well in their next match against Spain," Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said on Thursday, following an ordinary meeting of cabinet.

Cabinet also called on South Africans to support the national team by attending all the matches in large numbers.

The national team silenced its critics when it beat New Zealand 2-nil in a heart stopping Group A match.

Last night's triumph at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium put the national team in a comfortable spot to enter the next group matches. They will have to win their match against Spain and it will also depend on New Zealand beating Iraq.

After coming under heavy criticism for his mistakes at Sunday's game, Bernard Parker became an instant hero when his brace gave Bafana its much-needed victory.

Joel Santana's boys played stunning football last night and the only regret for both the coach and Captain Aaron Mokoena is that they did not score more goals in a match they systematically dominated.

Striker Terror Fanteni missed a golden opportunity when he messed up a kick in front of goals in the 2nd minute of the game, preventing his side from securing an early lead.

Credit must go to Teko Modise whose brilliant passes could have been utilized more effectively by his fellow midfielders Steven Pienaar and Kagisho Dikgacoi.

New Zealand nearly got punished in the 10th minute of the game but Parker's attempt was ruled offside by Mexican referee Benito Archundia.

Parker's first goal in the 21st minute gave the national team an edge over New Zealand. South Africa went on to gain control of the entire 1st and 2nd halves of the game.

The score could have been 3-nil in the 32nd minute but Parker was again denied the opportunity to score by the New Zealand goal keeper Glen Moss.

Bafana Bafana looked set to double the score in the 34th minute when they got a free kick just in front of the penalty area but Mokoena's header was just too high.

The national team created a lot of set pieces but failed to convert into goals some of the clear cut opportunities and they later regretted this when their opponents turned too defensive in the last 20 minute of the game.

New Zealand defender Dave Mulligan was lucky not to be booked after his dangerous late tackle on Tsepo Masilela.

With the second place in the group likely to be decided by goal difference, Bafana Bafana will be watching with keen interest the game between Iraq and NewZealand while the national team will be hoping for a win against the Spanish. - BuaNews