Watch Highlights & Review: France vs South Africa
Tournament: Olympic Games
Date : 25-July-2021
France vs South Africa Review
Kodisang K., South Africa
GOAL! A terrible mistake leads to a goal. The defender ends up losing possession, allowing Kobamelo Kodisang (South Africa) to pick up the ball before slotting it into the back of the net to make it 0:1.
Gignac A.(Kolo Muani R.), France
It’s in the back of the net! Randal Kolo Muani picks out Andre-Pierre Gignac (France) with a sweet pass, and he latches on to it deep inside the box and beats the goalkeeper. 1:1.
Makgopa E.(Kodisang K.), South Africa
Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) meets a perfect cross from Kobamelo Kodisang deep inside the box and controls it with a nice first touch. He produces an accurate strike inside the right post. The score is 1:2.
Gignac A.(Michelin C.), France
Goal! Andre-Pierre Gignac (France) makes the score 2:2 after burying a close-range header into the roof of the net after a good run and cross by Clement Michelin.
Mokoena T.(Singh L.), South Africa
What a hit! Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) makes a run to receive the ball and produces a powerful shot from mid-range which deflects in off the inside of the right post, beating the surprised goalkeeper.
Gignac A.(Penalty), France
GOAL! That’s a perfect strike from the spot by Andre-Pierre Gignac (France) into the top left hand corner, giving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams no chance!
Savanier T.(Gignac A.), France
A good lofted pass from Andre-Pierre Gignac finds Teji Savanier (France) on the edge of the area. He collects the ball and rips in a wonderful shot which ends up in the bottom left corner. The score is now 4:3.
Hat-trick Hero Gignac Keeps French Olympic Hopes Alive
France earned their first points in Group A after an entertaining 4-3 comeback win. ‘Bafana Bafana’ led three times in a frantic second half, but André-Pierre Gignac’s hat-trick inspired a French victory.
France started positively in an end-to-end first half but South Africa grew into the match as striker Evidence Magkopa rattled the post. Veteran striker André-Pierre Gignac was denied by a marginal offside on the half-hour mark before Kobamelo Kodisang won a penalty for ‘Bafana Bafana’ following Lucas Tousart’s mistimed challenge. However, Luther Singh couldn’t convert, clipping to the crossbar with a rising strike.
South Africa opened the scoring minutes into the second half when Paul Bernardoni and Clément Michelin failed to clear a through ball allowing a lively Kodisang to intercept and pass into an empty net. France equalised on 57 minutes as debutant Randal Kolo Muani dribbled to the byline and cut back to Gignac, who shot low underneath Ronwen Williams. ‘Bafana Bafana’ quickly reclaimed their lead when Kodisang crossed from the right and Magkopa volleyed past Bernardoni at the near post. France then equalised again with 10 minutes left as Michelin found space on the right and chipped into Gignac, who headed in powerfully.
Teboho Mokoena added a third for South Africa in the closing stages, lashing in an unstoppable strike from 25 yards. However, ‘Les Bleuets’ came back once more, this time from the spot, as Williams raced out from goal and took down Arnaud Nordin. Gignac fired the penalty into the top corner to complete his hat-trick. In the dying seconds, Téji Savanier lashed in a low strike from the edge of the area to win it for France.
It was a vital three points for France won in dramatic fashion. Savanier’s strike puts the French in a strong position heading into a final Group A fixture against Japan on Wednesday. Meanwhile, it was heartache for South Africa who could be eliminated from the Olympics if Japan and Mexico draw later today.
The referee checks his watch and blows his whistle to signal the end of this match.