Ethiopia 2 - Central African Republic 1; South Africa 4 - Botswana 1

Durban was the site of one of the two matches being played simultaneously in Group A on its sixth matchday.  South Africa hosted Botswana.  A South Africa win plus an Ethiopia loss or draw would see South Africa through to the next stage.  Botswana needed a win and an Ethiopia loss to go through.  It took nearly half an hour, but Bafana Bafana took the lead to put pressure on Ethiopia.  A Siphiwe Tshabalala corner was flicked on at the near post by Bernard Parker, and a Kermit Erasmus header at the back post gave the hosts a 1-0 lead.  This was Erasmus's first international tally.  Botswana were completely lost defensively, and only poor touches and missed shots let them off the hook.  However, Dean Furman received a through ball in stoppage time for his third chance in a short time frame for South Africa.  Furman this time finished off the inside of the far post for his first international goal.  South Africa were ahead 2-0 at halftime and were receiving good news out of Congo.

Botswana were more settled in the second half, and they provided some punch on the counter.  Jerome Ramatlhakwane pushed a pass forward to his teammate and then rushed into the box where he received the cross and scored with a powerful header to pull Botswana within a goal.  Parker scored on a free kick from the half circle to re-establish a two-goal cushion for Bafana Bafana.  Daine Klate drew a late penalty chance for South Africa that was converted to ice the game.  South Africa win 4-1 and hoped that help would be delivered by Central African Republic.  Botswana are eliminated from the tournament.

Brazzaville, Congo was the "home" venue for Central African Republic as they faced off against group leaders Ethiopia.  Ethiopia needed a win to clinch a spot in the final round of qualifying.  A huge wrench was thrown into Ethiopia's path when they conceded the opening goal midway through the first half.  A weak cross off a Central African free kick should have been punched away by Ethiopia goalkeeper Sisay Banch, but he whiffed.  The ball fell to Salif Keita, who pushed it into the net to give Central African Republic the lead.  A lackluster Ethiopia were in trouble, down 1-0 at halftime with South Africa leading in the other match.

Ethiopia came out with renewed vigor in the second period.  Three minutes in, Adane Girma provided a ball that fell inside the six-yard box.  Ethiopia striker Saladin Said did well to ignore the two players jumping and missing a header chance, allowing Said to trap the ball off the bounce and then immediately shoot it into the net for the equalizer.  With South Africa ahead, however, the Walia Antelopes knew that only a win would suffice for them.  Girma had a second assist, this time setting up Menyahil Teshome at the hour mark.  Teshome's shot combined the choppy bounces of the bad field with a touch from the goalkeeper and a touch off the far post to give Ethiopia the lead they so desperately sought.  Ethiopia found a way to hold on defensively for the rest of the affair.  Ethiopia win 2-1 in comeback fashion to advance.  South Africa are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

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

Goals
South Africa
Kermit Erasmus 28
Dean Furman 45+1
Bernard Parker 84, 89 PK

Botswana
Jerome Ramatlhakwane 73

Ethiopia
Saladin Said 48
Menyahil Teshome 61

Central African Republic
Salif Keita 23

Match Reports:
http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/south-africa-4-1-botswana-bafanas-attacking-approach-152100550--spt.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/82079/south-africa-vs-botswana/report?
http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2013/09/07/ethiopia-beat-central-african-republic-2-1-to-advance-to-final-round

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lec_XkqP_HM (South Africa v. Botswana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLmQhbKQUz4 (Ethiopia v. Central African Republic)

Ethiopia docked points for ineligible player

CAF Group A winners Ethiopia have forfeited one of their victories against Botswana due to fielding a player who should have been serving a suspension for yellow-card accumulation.  The match in question occurred on 8 June 2013, a match which Ethiopia won in Botswana 2-1.  Minyahile Beyene should not have been permitted to participate in that match, and Ethiopia have acknowledged the mistake.  The match has been awarded as a 3-0 victory to Botswana.  The adjusted group table appears as follows:

Ethiopia 10 pts +1
South Africa 8 pts +4
Botswana 7 pts +1
Cen. Af. Rep. OUT

This news saves both South Africa and Botswana from elimination with one round of matches left to be played in September.  Ethiopia would clinch the group (for real this time) with a victory away to Central African Republic, but a slip up would allow the winner of South Africa's home match against Botswana to steal top spot in the group.

News Reports:
http://www.supersport.com/football/article.aspx?Id=1979334
http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2128618/index.html

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

Botswana 3 - Central African Republic 2

Central African Republic made the trek to Lobatse to face Botswana with neither team having any hope of making it to Brasil 2014.  Nicaise Ozingoni opened the scoring for the visitors, but their bright start looked to be thrown out the window with five minutes left in the half.  Central African Republic were reduced to ten men by a direct red card shown to Ali Calvin Tolmbaye for bringing down Mogakolodi Ngele in the box.  Botswana converted the penalty kick, and the match was all square at one goal apiece at halftime.

Five minutes after the restart, Ozingoni had his brace as the visitors were not yet exhausted from having to cover extra territory with one less player.  Eventually, the disadvantage came back to harm them.  Ngele equalized with a quarter hour left on the lock.  Then, a rebound from a Botswana free kick was knocked in by Ofentse Nato (pictured, blue) to give Botswana a late lead.  Botswana held on to win 3-2.

Ethiopia 10 pts +4
South Africa 8 pts +5
Botswana OUT
Cen. Af. Rep. OUT

Goals
Botswana
Jerome Ramatlhakwane 41 PK
Mogakolodi Ngele 74
Ofentse Nato 86

Central African Republic
Nicaise Ozingoni 33, 50

Match Reports:
http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=3494
http://www.bloemfonteincelticfc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1975424
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2013/june/15-botswana-v-car.html

Ethiopia 2 - Botswana 1; South Africa 3 - Central African Republic 0

Lobatse and hosts Botswana looked to deal surprise group leaders Ethiopia a blow.  The match began slowly, but it would be Ethiopia who would spring to life first.  With a dozen minutes left in the half, Getaneh Kebede was allowed to dribble into the heart of the Botswana defense and take an open shot from the penalty spot, a defensive breakdown deserving of the punishment of a goal.  At the cusp of halftime, Ethiopia doubled their advantage.  A turnover led to an immediate through ball to Ethiopia striker Saladin Said.  A power strike from Said at the edge of the penalty area did the damage.  Ethiopia led 2-0 at intermission.

 Botswana did not roll over and succumb, however.  They battled, and they were rewarded with a quarter hour left on the clock.  A nice cross from the left wing to the near post was flicked on backwards by substitute Tebogo Sembowa.  Botswana were unable, however, to close the entire gap in the final quarter hour.  Ethiopia win 2-1.

Yaounde, Cameroon was the site of the match between nominal hosts Central African Republic and South Africa.  South Africa were looking to keep pace with Ethiopia, and that they did.  Siphiwe Tshabalala (pictured, green) slotted a long-distance through ball to Bernard Parker, who had to simultaneously nutmeg and leap over the oncoming Central African Republic goalkeeper Emmanuel Yezzoat (pictured, black).  The ball trickled into the goal for a 1-0 lead to Bafana Bafana.  Tshabalala scored a wonder goal at the end of the half.  Yezzoat had initially blocked a shot to safety, but South Africa remained in attack.  Tshabalala received the ball and sprung a one-two-one with Tokelo Rantie, leaving Tshabalala was in on goal.  A feint to get the goalkeeper on the ground was enough to empty the net, and Tshabalala filled it with a goal.  South Africa took the 2-0 lead with them into their dressing room.

Early in the second half, the home side should have drawn closer, but Hilaire Mome's cross was plucked out of the air by South Africa goalkeeper Itemelung Khune with multiple Central African attackers in his vicinity.  Bafana Bafana dropped into a shell for the remainder of the match, caring only to counterattack.  That they did with success in stoppage time.  Oupa Manyisa was in possession along the left flank.  He shimmied and shook his way past defender Therence Khetevoama, and then he floated a perfect cross over the goalkeeper for the simplest of headed finishes by Katlego Mashego.  South Africa win 3-0.

Ethiopia 10 pts +4
South Africa 8 pts +5
Cen. Af. Rep. OUT
Botswana OUT

Goals
Ethiopia
Getaneh Kebede 33
Saladin Said 45

Botswana
Tebogo Sembowa 76

South Africa
Bernard Parker 26
Siphiwe Tshabalala 43
Katlego Mashego 90+1

Match Reports:
http://www.zehabesha.com/ethiopia-victorious-in-botswana/
http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/international/ethiopia-victorious-in-botswana/133941
http://www.goal.com/en-za/match/82075/central-african-republic-vs-south-africa/report?
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2013/June/08/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-central-african-republic-0-south-africa-3/n231888/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qMsKTckB4c (Ethiopia v. Botswana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smxm0ya-6f8 (South Africa v. Central African Republic)

Ethiopia 1 - Botswana 0

Botswana made the trip to Addis Ababa to take on Ethiopia, who were looking to regain the group lead with a win at home.  Group leaders South Africa were loving the way the game was going along as neither team could find the opening goal in the first period.

South Africa were almost given the helped they wanted by Botswana, but it was not to be.  With two minutes left, Ethiopia found the dramatic winner.  A clever pass broke the Botswana offside trap and put substitute Getaneh Kebede (pictured, green near ball) alone against the goalkeeper. He side-stepped the keeper and knocked the ball into the goal and Ethiopia back into first place.  Ethiopia win 1-0.

Ethiopia 7 pts +3
South Africa 5 pts +2
Cen. Af. Rep. 3 pts -2
Botswana 1 pts -3

Goals
Ethiopia
Getaneh Kebede 88

Match Reports:
http://www.nanngronline.com/section/sports/brazil-2014-qualifiers-ethiopia-beat-botswana-1-0-to-lead-group-a

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L_o9l6Hetg

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LYxnUZm88eA

South Africa 2 - Central African Republic 0

Cape Town was the scene for the match between visiting Central African Republic and South Africa.  Bafana Bafana were under pressure to keep pace with Ethiopia in the group, but the start lookied promising as South Africa  Reneilwe Letsholonyane hit a ball that put Tokelo Rantie in with a chance on goal, but Rantie botched the shot, giving the visitors a let off.  The visitors eventually responded with an effort by Foxi Kethevoama that forced South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune into a diving stop.  Thabo Matlaba saw the goalkeeper off his line and took a rip from thirty-five yards that floated into the visitors' goal, giving South Africa a 1-0 lead.  Bafana Bafana led 1-0 at intermission.

Six minutes into the second half, Khune had to tip away another diving save from a Manasse Enza free kick.  Central African Republic looked to have equalized for minutes later, but the goal was ruled back for a handball after South Africa voiced their displeasure vehemently.  With twenty minutes ago, South Africa played a counterattack to perfection.  They had been content to sit back and absorb pressure when Siphiwe Tshabalala sent a long through ball ahead to Bernard Parker, who finished top shelf over the goalkeeper to double the lead.  South Africa win 2-0.

South Africa 5 pts +2
Ethiopia 4 pts +2
Cen. Af. Rep. 3 pts -2
Botswana 1 pts -2

Goals
South Africa
Thabo Matlaba 34
Bernard Parker 70

Match Reports:
http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/BafanaBafana/Bafana-claim-valuable-win-20130323
http://www.football24.co.za/2013/03/24/bafana-bafana-2-0-central-african-republic/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Gg72PfAv8

Ethiopia 2 - Central African Republic 0

Ethiopia, fresh off a shock draw in South Africa, came home to an absolutely packed Addis Ababa stadium to face Group A leaders Central African Republic.  After a slow start to the match, Ethiopia poached a goal with seven minutes left before the whistle.  Said Saladin (pictured, #7) finished with his head off a Minyahile Tesmone cross.  Ethiopia led 1-0 at the break.

The second half again featured nearly equal amounts of possession.  It took until the final three minutes for the match to be sealed.  Saladin latched onto a lofted ball forward that passed the only defender back for the visitors, who were pressing for the equalizer.  Saladin finished for 2-0, but he came up with a hamstring injury during his celebratory run.  Ethiopia were out of substitutes, but the injury was of little consequence for Ethiopia held on for the 2-0 win and the surprise lead in Group A.

Ethiopia 4 pts +2
Central Af. Rep. 3 pts 0
South Africa 2 pts 0
Botswana 1 pts -2

Goals
Ethiopia
Said Saladin 38, 88

Match Reports:
http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2012/06/10/saladin-said-delivers-for-ethiopia-again-beating-car-2-0-at-home
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110061.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbq4bk_EVWo

South Africa 1 - Bostwana 1

South Africa went into Gaborone to take on Botswana with both sides desperate to right the ship after poor results in their opening matches in Group A.  The home Zebras almost got an early goal when Joel Mogorosi headed into the crossbar.  South Africa took advantage of the reprieve at the quarter hour mark when Morgan Gould (pictured, green) rose to head a Steven Pienaar corner kick home for a 1-0 lead.  Katlego Mphela nearly made it 2-0, but his effort struck the crossbar.  The Zebras took advantage of this reprieve when Ofentse Nato put back a rebound for the equalizer.  The half ended 1-1.

In the second period, Bafana Bafana nearly had a second, but Kabelo Dembe was able to save Gould's header to preserve the tie with twenty-five minutes to play.  Ten minutes from time, a Pienaar pass found Teko Modise wide open in front of an open net, but Modise somehow managed to blast over the bar from close range.  Botswana escape with a 1-1 draw, but they do not escape the bottom of Group A.

Central Af. Rep. 3 pts +2
South Africa 2 pts 0
Ethiopia 1 pts 0
Botswana 1 pts -2

Goals
South Africa
Morgan Gould 15 (green)

Botswana
Ofentse Nato 38

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111409.html
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=8&aid=902&dir=2012/June/Monday11

Ethiopia 1 - South Africa 1

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa played their first FIFA World Cup match today since hosting the 2010 finals.  Their opponents were visitors Ethiopia and the scene was Rustenburg.  Bafana Bafana had the upper hand, but Ethiopia remained level and were playing at a high level.  Said Saladin (pictured, red) single-handedly altered the match at the half hour mark with a steal upfield, after which he maneuvered into the South African box to unleash a shot that hit the roof of the net for a shock 1-0 lead.  That was the score at the break.

Bafana Bafana were surely under pressure from their expectant fan base, especially since the fan base had seen the day before that group co-favorites Botswana had suffered a shock loss to Central African Republic in Group A play.  With little more than a dozen minutes left in the match, Katlego Mphela scored from distance from the left part of the Ethiopian penalty area, but Bafana Bafana never found the winning goal.  Ethiopia escaped with a highly unexpected 1-1 draw.  South Africa have now failed to win any of their previous nine matches and have gotten coach Pitso Mosimane fired.

Central Af. Rep. 3 pts +2
Ethiopia 1 pts 0
South Africa 1 pts 0
Botswana 0 pts -2

Goals

Ethiopia

Said Saladin (pictured, red) 30

South Africa

Katlego Mphela 77

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77961/south-africa-vs-ethiopia/report
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuEotV2unfFSpCdMZJvD624aq4_w?docId=CNG.d2a0ed62f3b93911fc35b7090623a96e.411

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyJjtD-1h-4

Central African Republic 2 - Botswana 0

Central African Republic had not played a FIFA World Cup match since the 2000 tournament, but today they welcomed 2012 African Cup of Nations finalists Botswana to Bangui.  The highly fancied Zebras may even have been considered favorites in the group ahead of South Africa, but the hosts did not seem to care.  Hungary-based forward Foxi Kethevoama (pictured) scored the host's first goal before the Zebras could even gather themselves for twenty full minutes.  The half ended at 1-0.

If the Zebras had fancied a comeback, Kethevoama made it much more difficult by adding his team's second goal a dozen minutes into the second period.  The game remained scoreless the rest of the way.  Central African Republic recorded their first ever FIFA World Cup victory by a score of 2-0.

Goals
Central African Republic
Foxi Kethevoama 18, 57

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206041471.html
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/06/04/car-add-to-botswana-s-misery