Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster attempts a header during the international friendly against Panama at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
Image: BackpagePix
Cape Town came out in their thousands to send Bafana Bafana off to the Fifa World Cup on a high note, but Panama stifled the celebrations with a 2-1 victory at a sold-out DHL Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Everything was set up for Hugo Broos’ team on a perfect autumn evening in the Mother City with Table Mountain in the backdrop shining in all its glory at kickoff.
But once again the home team’s profligacy in front of goal cost them dearly with Bafana unable to convert their lion's share of possession into clear-cut chances.
And even more disturbing was the fact that when they were able to get behind the frugal Panama defence, they allowed the chances to go abegging like when Bongokuhle Hlongwane right footed past the upright with only Orlando Mosquera to beat in goal shortly before halftime.
Instead, it was fellow Fifa World Cup finalists Panama that showed Bafana the clinical efficiency that will be required in the final third in a few months' time in Mexico, and also why they are ranked 33rd compared to Bafana’s lowly 59th.
Norwich City defender José Córdoba reacted first to a mistake from Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, who replaced his skipper Ronwen Williams at halftime, with a simple tap in from close range.
Bafana enjoyed arguably their best passage of play after conceding the goal after Broos had made a triple change.
The Belgian tactician had already made four changes from Friday's 1-1 draw in Durban with Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Jayden Adams and Relebohile Mofokeng all recalled to the starting line-up.
But it was the introduction of fan favourites Themba Zwane, Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Maseko on the hour that really sparked Bafana into gear.
Maseko enjoyed a mazy run on the left byline shortly after being introduced, but could just not get his cross into the penalty area, but managed to force a corner.
It was from the resultant corner that Mbokazi sent in a thunderous shot from long range that forced Mosquera to produce a solid save.
However, Mosquera had no chance a few moments later when the US-based defender sent the DHL Stadium into raptures with another booming shot that burst into the top corner for the equaliser.
Mbokazi had earned a reputation at Orlando Pirates for his long-range efforts, and his first international goal for Bafana was a moment of brilliance.
Unfortunately for Bafana, and the fans who were in full voice now, the joy was short-lived with Panama working their way towards a winner when Jiovany Ramos scored the goal that brought a hush of silence inside the stadium.
SCOREBOARD
Bafana Bafana: 1 (Mbekezeli Mbokazi 64)
Panama: 2 (José Córdoba 58, Jiovany Ramos 77)