Percy Tau Errors Haunt South Africa As Second Half Mali Onslaught Crushes Bafana Bafana’s Hopes

• Percy missed a glaring opportunity as well as a first-half penalty for South Africa
• Mali initially struggled to break Bafana Bafana down but were relentless after half-time
• Namibia defeated Tunisia leaving South Africa needing points in their next two games

There was no fairytale start for South Africa at AFCON 2023.

A bright first half for Bafana Bafana gave way to a languid second with the West Africans wrestling momentum.

The result and Namibia's shock win over Tunisia leaves South Africa needing at least a win and draw to stand a chance of progressing to the Round of 16.

In the opening minutes, Mali went direct, testing Bafana Bafana's solidity, which they duly repelled. South Africa responded with pockets of possession and the opening chances for each team were limited to shots from range.

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Just after the 10th minute, South Africa burst into life, dominating possession with confident touches. Thapelo Maseko created the clearest chance, beating his defender to put it on a plate for Percy Tau who struck his 15-yard shot tamely at Mali's goalkeeper.

Maseko again opened up space on the left to earn a corner but before taking it, Evidence Makgopa's bleeding lip set the ref to the VAR screen. Sikou Niakite was adjudged to have elbowed Makgopa and the ref pointed to the spot.

An expectant nation waited as Percy Tau stepped but 'The Lion of Judah' put too much on it and sent it over the bar.

Halfway through the first half, Eric Chelle was huffing and puffing on the sideline as his team were failing to blow the South African defence down.

Disappointed to not have the lead, South Africa could have been proud for neutralising the Mali midfield while showing better attacking nouse, creeping into halftime level.

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Chelle must have shown his teeth at the break because Mali were more direct from the whistle and Amadou Haidara should have opened the scoring in the 48th minute.

South Africa's first-half swagger deserted them and Mali continued to build pressure, peppering Ronwen Williams and his defenders.

South Africa were living dangerously and Lassine Sinayoko earned a free kick on the edge of the box. Sekou Koita almost beat Williams, who pushed it onto the post, only for Hamari Traore to tap him into an unguarded net in the 60th minute.

The stone defence had turned to straw and Sinayoko poked a second home for Mali six minutes later.

Mali managed the final stages of the game with ease, securing a 2-0 win that will be a bitter rewatch for South Africa.

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Percy Tau blasted South African social media

Sports Brief reported during South Africa's defeat to Mali how social media was already blaming Percy Tau.

South Africans were not happy with Tau after missing the first penalty of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mali were superior in the second half and scored two goals in six minutes to seal the three points.