South Africa 2-1 Sudan:Goals from Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie sealed victory and ensured Eprahim Mashaba's men will feature in the tournament in January

South Africa booked their place in the African Cup of Nations
finals with a 2-1 win over Sudan on Saturday.
South Africa coach Eprahim Mashaba had urged his team to
secure the three points they needed on Saturday to ensure they
would feature in next year's tournament in memory of
murdered captain Senzo Meyiwa.
Goalkeeper Meyiwa was tragically shot dead last month in an
altercation involving two attackers on the outskirts of
Johannesburg last month.
There was a minute's silence before kick-off at Moses Mabhida
Stadium in the first game Bafana Bafana have played since
Meyiwa's passing and goals from Serero and Tokelo Rantie
ensured Mashaba's side will feature in the showpiece which will
now be held in Equatorial Guinea next year.
Salah Ibrahim pulled a goal back for Sudan to set up a tense
final, but South Africa, who were captained by Dean
Furman, held on to stay top of Group A with one game against
Nigeria remaining and are guaranteed a top-two finish.
Sudan, on the other hand, have no chance of qualifying for the
tournament having secured only three points from their five
matches but will feel they should have been awarded a penalty
in time added on.
Backed by a partisan crowd in a game which was moved from
Nelspruit to Meyiwa's home city at the request of Mashaba, the
hosts showed positive intent in the opening stages but were
indebted to a superb last-ditch challenge from Sibusiso Khumal
to thwart Mudather El Tahir as he raced clear.
Ajax midfielder Serero eased the tension seven minutes before
the break, putting the hosts in front with a right-footed finish to
round off a lovely passing move.
Sudan striker Bakri Al Madina was fortunate to get away with
catching South Africa goalkeeper Darren Keet with a late high
boot, then Bongani Ndulula was guilty of a glaring miss for the
hosts with the goal gaping.
Visiting keeper Moez Mahjoub was quickly off his line to make a
brave save to deny Rantie just after the break as Mashaba's men
attempted to give themselves some breathing space.
Rantie was not to be denied after 53 minutes, though, as he
picked up a pass and skipped pass two players before applying a
clinical right-footed finish.
Ibrahim sent home nerves jangling when he volleyed home
from inside the penalty area, and Sudan were denied a late
penalty as Khumalo felled his man inside the area but South
Africa held on to spark celebrations on and off the pitch.
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