Modiba Goal Reopens Khune’s Alves Memories

For Itumeleng Khune, the sight of Aubrey Modiba curling home a decisive free-kick for Mamelodi Sundowns against FAR Rabat in the CAF Champions League final triggered memories of a goal he conceded against Dani Alves.

Nearly 17 years after Alves broke South African hearts with a late free-kick winner for the Brazil national football team in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final, Khune admitted that Modiba’s strike instantly reminded him of that unforgettable night at Ellis Park Stadium.

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Alves famously scored in the 88th minute to hand Brazil a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa national football team, crushing Bafana Bafana’s hopes of reaching the final on home soil.

Watching Modiba score in almost an identical fashion on Sunday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld brought those emotions rushing back for the former Kaizer Chiefs captain.

“What I have noticed about this ball, it reminds me of the goal I conceded against Brazil in the Confederations Cup at Ellis Park Stadium. Daniel Alves,” Khune told SABC Sport.

The former Bafana Bafana number one then broke down the technical aspects behind the goal, pointing to the positioning of the FAR Rabat goalkeeper as the key mistake that allowed Modiba to exploit the near post.

“The goalkeeper here, he sets up the wall. He stands right behind the wall,” Khune explained.

“So he exposed the side that he was supposed to cover. So that's why Modiba saw the opportunity that there's no way, I'm too close. There's no way I can go over the wall.

“But I just have to put the lace and go to the keeper's side.”

Khune believes the Moroccan goalkeeper’s positioning ultimately cost his side, particularly because the wall had already been placed to protect the far side of the goal.

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“But it's very poor for a goalkeeper to concede a goal on the side you were supposed to cover. Because the wall's got you covered, but he stood right behind the wall. That's why he couldn't see the ball,” he added.