Ethiopia 2 - South Africa 1

The de facto title match in Group A took place today in Addis Ababa between hosts Ethiopia and visiting South Africa. Getaneh Kebede nearly flicked his header on goal early on for the hosts, but South Africa goalkeeper Itemelung Khune was up to the challenge and caught the shot on a dive.  Salahdin Said was Khune's next victim as the netminder flew low to his right to catch Said's blast from distance.  Bernard Parker was denied an opener for Bafana Bafana on two occasions.  The first was parried away by Ethiopia goalkeeper Jemal Bushura.  The second was a looper header headed off the line by Minyahile Beyene.  Parker took his third chance with aplomb to score a superb opener.  Parker, with Aynalem Hailu matching him stride for stride, volley off a high bounce with authority, beating Bushura to the far post.  Reneilwe Letsholonyane made a mess of his one-versus-one opportunity to double the lead after an excellent through ball found him in stride.  Ethiopia were level thanks to a dose of good fortune.  Addis Hintsa was trapped at the top of the box by four defenders.  However, his weak pass attempt drew a weak deflection, giving Hintsa a window through which to pass to a streaking Kebede.  Kebede finished well to send the match into the half square at 1-1.

With twenty minutes to go, Parker scored a wonder goal, beating the goalkeeper off a cross with a header from fifteen yards away!  Unfortunately, Parker was defending a set piece, giving an otherwise benign Ethiopian second half attack a fluke goal and a 2-1 lead.  South Africa pressed hard to equalize and remain alive in the search for Brasil 2014.  Ethiopia caught Bafana Bafana on the counter in stoppage time, but Said missed just wide of goal with only Khune to beat.  Nevertheless, Ethiopia win the match 2-1.  Ethiopia win Group A and send South Africa crashing out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ethiopia 13 pts IN
South Africa OUT
Botswana OUT
Cen. Af. Rep. OUT

Goals
Ethiopia
Getaneh Kebede 42
Bernard Parker 70 OG

South Africa
Bernard Parker 33

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-za/match/82078/ethiopia-vs-south-africa/report?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1674580-south-africa-vs-ethiopia-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction
http://allafrica.com/stories/201306170180.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNLmB81GVdc

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuJ5nO2NK2c