Young Bafana were left frustrated after surrendering a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with Hanover Park FC in an entertaining ABC Motsepe League clash at the Young Bafana Arena on Saturday.
The hosts dominated large periods of the match and led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Luthando Mateza and Ntantla Nikani after Wafeeq Isaacs had opened the scoring for Hanover Park.
Bafana later extended their advantage to 3-1 thanks to a goal from the veteran striker Robin Rhode, and looked set for victory before goalkeeper Saadiq De la Harpe was stretchered off following a heavy collision.
The visitors capitalised on the disruption, pulling a goal back in the 85th minute through Devaun van Wyk before the league’s top scorer, Peter -Wade Fish, grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the 96th minute to extend their unbeaten run to six matches – much to the frustration of Bafana coach Rezaan Jacobs.
“We dominated the game and it’s a match we should have won,” Jacobs told No Bones Jones. “The injury to our goalkeeper disrupted our concentration and organisation at a crucial stage.”
Despite the disappointment, Jacobs praised Hanover Park’s fighting spirit while insisting his side’s overall performance was among their best of the season.
“Credit to Hanover Park because they showed tremendous character to fight their way back. You need that never-say-die attitude if you want to compete in this league,” Jacobs concluded.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
