January 16th, 2008
South Africa vs Chad
From the time the whistle blew to start this all-important game for South Africa, the visitors were under pressure. Chad were lucky not to be facing a penalty kick already on five minutes, when a defender handled the ball as he tried to clear.
On around the ten minute mark Sibusiso Zuma headed the ball just wide off a perfect cross delivered by Elrio van Heerden. South Africa were awarded a penalty on 12 minutes after Zuma was brought down by the Chad keeper when he broke through the Chad defence.
The Absa Stadium in Durban was a bit surprised at who stepped up to take the penalty, Cape Town born defender Nassief Morris. He slotted home the penalty kick with relative calm, especially since it was his first goal for South Africa in 22 games. Morris explained after the match that it was planned beforehand that he would take a penalty should one be awarded, and he did practice for it leading up to the game. He also admitted having a few nerves as he took the spot kick.
It was one-way traffic for the rest of the match as well, with Chad only having one shot at goal and that in the closing minutes of the match.