Mokoena: We fell into the trap
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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana fell into the trap set by Uruguay and ended up losing 3-0 with their 2010 Soccer World Cup dreams shattered.
So said Bafana captain Aaron Mokena, after the second Group A clash that ended in tears in front of a capacity crowd at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.
"They laid the trap and we fell right into it. It is going to be hard to get out of it, but we are not out of the World Cup just yet.
"We still have one match to play against France next Tuesday (in Bloemfontein) and we aim to win that and give ourselves a fighting chance to reach our goal of playing in the second round," said Mokoena.
Bafanas cause was not helped by a controversial refereeing decision in the 77th minute when Swiss referee Massimo Basacca sent off Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune for a foul on Alvero Pereira inside his penalty area.
He awarded the South Americans a penalty, which was netted by Diego Forlan who had scored the first goal.
Pereira rubbed salt into the wound by heading home the third goal with the last move of the game.
Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreria was swearing blue murder at the match official saying he never wants to see him ever again.
But Mokoena said the players were determined to regroup and fight on. "We have the faith and belief that we can recover from this setback and still make the nation proud.
"Do not write us off just yet. We are determined to bounce back against France."
Mokoena said Wednesdays match against Uruguay was one of the toughest in his 104 international appearances for Bafana.
"Uruguay are a tough side to play against. They made life really difficult for us out there."
Mokoena refused to be drawn on the penalty and Khune sending off. He said: "We are a team and stand or fall as a team. I do not point fingers at any player."
The other bad news for Bafana is Fulham midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi picked up a second yellow card and like Khune is suspended and misses the France clash.
Bafana play ninth world ranked France at 16:00 on Tuesday at the Free State Stadium.
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