South Africa’s AFCON hopes dashed

South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by Cameroon in their Africa Nations Cup Qualifier in Durban and with that saw their chances of reaching Gabon 2017 dashed.
Bafana Bafana have only a very slim mathematical chance to qualify. If they win their last two games (against Gambia and Mauritania) they will need Mauritania to draw with Cameroon and Gambia to beat Cameroon.
In that case, Bafana would be tied on 9 points with Cameroon at the top of the table and will go through on away goals in head to head with the Indomitable Lions.
Inside the opening five minutes, Bafana Bafana went close when debutant left back Sifiso Hlanti’s curling free kick was tipped over the bar.
A few minutes later Hlanti delivered a deep cross to Thulani Hlatshwayo at the far post and with the goalkeeper beaten, Hlatshwayo’s header went directly into the ground and bounced over the bar, with a slight touch from the keeper taking it out for a corner.
From fifteen minutes in, the visitors began to settle and frustrate the home side with deep defending. Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba was visibly frustrated that his team were not settling on the all and asking questions of Cameroon.
Just before the half hour mark, Cameroon skipper Vincent Aboubakar fired a free kick way over the crossbar and a few minutes later the FC Porto star glanced a header just wide of Itumeleng Khune’s upright, once more showing Bafana’s vulnerability on set pieces and high balls into the 18 area.