South Africa under-23 national football team gave away the lead thrice before losing 4-3 to their French counterparts in a Group A contest at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Sunday.
Andre-Pierre Gignac scored a hat-trick for France to condemn South Africa to their second consecutive defeat which compromises their chances of progressing in the competition.
Going into the game, South Africa were smarting from a 1-0 loss to Japan on July 22 whereas France, too, had started the tournament on a bad note, falling 4-1 to Mexico.
And when the game started, South Africa looked lively and should have gone ahead but the goalpost denied Evidence Makgopa in the early stages of the duel.
In the 29th minute, France made their presence felt but the referee ruled out Gignac’s effort offside.
With five minutes to half-time, the Africans earned a penalty after Kobamelo Kodisang was brought down in the box.
However, striker Luther Singh sent his spot-kick crashing against the bar much to the frustration of his team-mates.
The mood changed a few minutes later as South Africa made amends for that early miss when Kodisang scored.
The goal jolted South Africa’s opponents into action.
France came back into the game when Gignac equalized in the 58th minute, only for Makgopa to restore South Africa’s lead a few minutes later.
The goals continued to fall like manna this time around Gignac bringing France level, only for South Africa to extend the lead again through Teboho Mokoena’s long range stunner in the 81st minute.
However, there was no more comeback for South Africa as Gignac completed his hat-trick before Savanier sneaked in the late clincher for France.
Ahead of the game, South Africa coach David Notoane had freshned things up, making two changes to the squad that lost narrowly to Japan.
Kodisang and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo were drafted in the starting line-up replacing Tendo Mukumela and Sibusiso Mabiliso.
On the other hand, France coach has maintained most players who featured in the squad that lost 4-1 to Mexico.
Starting line-ups:
South Africa XI: Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Katlego Mohamed, Kobamelo Kodisang, Tercious Malepe, Reeve Frosler, Luther Singh, Evidence Makgapo, Thabo Cele, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Luke Fleurs
France XI: Paul Bernardoni, Pierre Kalulu, Niels Nkounkou, Lucas Tousart, Nathanael Mbuku, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Teji Savanier, Clement Michelin, Florian Thauvin, Anthony Caci, Randal Kolo.