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)