South Africa 2-1 Cape Verde Islands
BLOEMFONTEIN, June 5 (Reuters) - Captain Mbulelo Mabizela scored twice in South Africa's unconvincing 2-1 win over the Cape Verde Islands at the start of their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday.
The Tottenham Hotspur player blasted home a free kick just
before halftime and then netted a spectacular long-range shot in
the second to give South Africa all three points in new coach
Stuart Baxter's first game.
But Baxter admitted his side were not impressive and had
panicked and lost discipline after the islanders pulled a goal
back in the 78th minute when Janicio scored with a snap shot.
The 144th-ranked islanders then pressed in the final 10
minutes to grab an equaliser, with Calo missing after rounding
South African goalkeeper Hans Vonk, who then dropped a ball in
the final minute which Lito failed to capitalise on.
'It was nice to win but we have a lot of work to do,' said
Baxter, whose side travels to Ghana in a fortnight for their
next qualifier.