SA U23s bowed out of the CAF 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers after a goalless draw against Congo Brazzaville at Massamba-Debat Stadium on Monday night.
The two teams came into this clash having settled for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the qualifiers at Dobsonville Stadium on Thursday, 23 March 2023.
The game got off to a cagey start as both sides struggled to find any real momentum. But, Notoane’s charges were tested to the maximum against the Congolese side.
As the half progressed, South Africa began to be cautious of the hosts’ approach as they were determined to get into the faces of the visitors.
LEVEL AT HALF-TIME TIME BREAK
The end-to-end first period came to an end with both teams level pegging [0-0].
In the second stanza, South Africa made sure they up their game with the hopes to break the deadlock.
But the SA U23s kept getting further away from their goals in the second half. The home side tried to take a strong foothold towards the end of the game. But failed to breakthrough Notoane’s resilient defence.
ENDED IN TEARS FOR DAVID NOTOANE AND SA U23S
The final whistle blew with nothing to separate both sides at Massamba-Debat Stadium. It meant the hosts have booked a berth in the AFCON Under 23 finals courtesy of the away goals rule.
And in the end, however, this was another match to add to the list of meetings that ended in a stalemate for SA U23s, which ended their dreams to qualify for the AFCON U23 due to take place in Morocco in June and July.
South Africa will rue their failure to win the game comfortably at home last week.
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