Percy Tau of South Africa takes a penalty during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Mali and South Africa at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on 16 January 2024 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
VIDEO: Percy Tau’s abysmal penalty miss heaps pressure on Bafana Bafana
Al Ahly star man Percy Tau missed a penalty as South Africa slumped to a defeat against Mali in their opening match at the 2023 AFCON.
Percy Tau of South Africa takes a penalty during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Mali and South Africa at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on 16 January 2024 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Al Ahly star man Percy Tau missed a penalty as South Africa slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Mali in their opening match in Group E at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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The clash took place shortly after Namibia had shocked Tunisia 1-0, leaving Bafana Bafana hoping to spring another surprise to boost their chances of a place in the knockout rounds.
Bafana Bafana had a golden chance to do exactly that when Egyptian referee Mohamed Adel awarded them a penalty following a handball by Sikou Niakaté.
However, Tau blazed his kick over the crossbar in a very average effort to say the least.
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According to the KingFut website, it was Tau’s third penalty miss in his career from six attempts as the first half finished goalless.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 60th minute when captain Hamari Traore gave Mali the lead when he scored from Kamory Doumbia’s free-kick which came off the crossbar.
Must-win AFCON 2023 match for Bafana Bafana
Six minutes later, Lassine Sinayoko made it 2-0 with a close-range finish after he was put through on goal by Doumbia to seal the win for Mali.
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The win put Mali top of Group E with three points, ahead of Namibia on goal difference, while South Africa find themselves bottom with zero points along with Tunisia.
Bafana Bafana will take on Namibia in their next match on Sunday, 21 January at 22:00 (SA time).
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It’s shaping up as a must-win clash for South Africa.
