Football: International friendly-South Africa Under-20 outclass Seychelles |01 September 2008

The victory for the young South Africans against seasoned players was at times embarrassing for the watching public as the local players were outfought and outwitted in every department and near the end were just waiting for the final whistle to relieve them of such humiliation.

The South Africans started in top gear as they gave the local players a lesson in how to break an offside trap at will.

In the 15th minute, Mashaba Muzikaize out-sped the Seychelles defence and appeared to be brought down by defender Nigel Freminot but referee Gerald Gonthier was not convinced.

Two minutes later, Seychelles’ captain Denis Barbé stole the ball from a South African player to centre to Philip Zialor but goalie Thella Ngobene was quick off his line to thwart the danger.

In the 18th minute, the South Africans created havoc in the Seychelles defence but Thulani Serero’s shot was stopped by goalie Nelson Sopha.

A minute later, the South Africans were rewarded for their endeavours as they opened the floodgates. Thulani Serero sprung the tight offside trap to race from 20 metres to easily slot the ball past Sopha for a 1-0 lead.

The goal spurred the Seychelles team and in the 23rd minute Henny Dufresne linked up with Nelson Laurence who rounded goalie Ngobene to play the ball back to Dufresne who flashed his shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.

A minute later, the South Africans doubled their lead as they played the ball over the Seychelles defence who was waiting for an offside call. Masebusane Zongo raced clear despite David Dorby’s chase to fire past Sopha to make it 2-0.

On the half hour mark, Philani Khwela and Tsepo Gunede swapped passes before the former sprung the offside trap for the umpteenth time to bore on goal and place his shot beyond Sopha’s reach for a 3-0 score.

Five minutes later, Khwela went on a strong run to skip past three defenders but he shot in the side-netting as the Seychelles team rode their luck.

In the 44th minute, the Seychelles side almost reduced the arrears from a short corner by captain Barbé to Bernard St Ange whose teasing cross was met by Zialor’s thumping header but goalie Ngobene made a point-blank save to deny the St Michel striker.

The South Africans increased the pressure in the second period and extended their lead in the 50th minute as Tsepo Gumede centred and goalie Sopha spilled the shot which fell to Nkane Zwane who scored in an empty net (4-0).

In the 66th minute, Dufresne found himself one on one with goalie Ngobene but somehow he shot wide.

A minute later, Zwane beat the overworked Seychelles defence to rifle past goalie Sopha for a 5-0 advantage.

In the 69th minute, Dufresne brought a good save out of goalie Ngobene from a free-kick which he tipped over.

In the 82nd minute, the South Africans put on a glorious display of passing movement to unlock the Seychelles defence before releasing Serero who blasted the ball past goalie Sopha for a 6-0 score.

The South Africans put the final nail in the Seychelles coffin in added time as Zongo and Khwela exchanged passes to tear open the Seychelles defence allowing Khwela to thump the ball into the net for a 7-0 score-line.

South African coach Serame Letsoaku told Sport Nation after the match that he was very satisfied with his team’s performance as they put on a good display.

He also felt that the local team underestimated his team which cost them dearly.

Seychelles’ technical advisor Ulric Mathiot accepted that his team had underestimated their opponents. He added that this match was a good footballing lesson for his team and said that he was rather disappointed with the result.

R. J-L.