Bloemfontein - Spectacular goals, tremendous skills and great football tactics were seen during the remarkable FIFA Confederations Cup match between Egypt and Brazil on Monday.
Played in front of thousands of adoring fans in the Free State Stadium in Mangaung, the game between the Samba Kings of South America and Pharos of Africa proved that all the participating nations are in South Africa to play for victory.
Although the Pharos lost 4-3 to Brazil, the African side sent a sterling message to international soccer giants that Africa has become a strong competitive continent when it comes to football.
This encounter started with both teams showing the desire to win the match and in the first 10 minutes the Brazilian star Kaka scored an opener, which was his 25th goal in the history of the FIFA Confederations Cup.
The Real Madrid playmaker showed great skill when he dribbled at least three Egyptian defenders and netted the first goal for defending FIFA Confederations Cup champions.
After Kaka's goal the Pharos showed their intentions when Egyptian goal poacher, Zidani headed a brilliant equalizer after a superb cross from Mohamed "Silent Smiling Assassin" Aboutrika.
The Brazilian were not intimidated by the Zidani's equalizer as Louis Fabiano headed a brilliant second goal leaving the Egyptian goal-minder, Essam El Hadari frustrated.
It is not an overstatement to say that this game was a game of football connoisseur as all three goals were scored within 12 minutes of the match.
Fans in Bloemfontein were served with real football and on the menu were goals, skills and tactics which revealed that both coaches, Dunga of Brazil and Hassan Shehata of Egypt strategically did their homework.
Both teams created great chances but both their defences and goalkeepers took no prisoners in stopping any ball that might inflict pain to their loyal fans.
It was heartbreaking to the Pharos and their supporters when Brazilian defender, Juan headed a goal after a corner towards the end of the first half.
When the match return to the second half, coach replaced captain Ahmed Hassan with Ahmed Adi, perhaps realized that his middlefield players were ineffective in penetrating the solid Brazilian defence led by the experienced Captain Lucio.
