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BAFANA DROP HOME POINT

Congo secured a vital away point at the start of their 2008 MTN Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Saturday, holding 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa to a goalless draw in Johannesburg.
Expert defence, led by 22-year-old Hertha Berlin centre back Christopher Samba and French-based goalkeeper Barel Mouko, kept South Africa at bay in the Group 11 game in front of just 10,000 spectators at Soccer City.
The French-born Samba, back in Congo’s team for the first time in almost two years, made some telling tackles and interception and dominated in the air as South Africa pounded an endless supply of crosses and set pieces into the Congo area.
Mouko also pulled off several good stops to deny South Africa’s light weight attack, who had to do without the Blackburn Rovers’ striker Benni McCarthy, who had pulled out of the squad.
South Africa did find the net after 73 minutes but substitute Benedict Vilakazi was adjudged to be offside as his diving header did enough to put off Mouko, who spilt a square cross from Siyabonga Nkosi into his own net.
There was also a close chance squandered by another substitute Abram Raselemane in the 61st minute as he steered the ball over the top of the goal from just over a metre out.
Congo, who had plans to use two former French junior internationals scuppered by FIFA in the build-up to the game, rarely created any attacks but new coach Noel Tosi pronounced himself pleased “that we have crossed a big mountain”.
South Africa were watched by their new coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who officially takes over the side at the start of next year.