Bloemfontein: Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela scored first-half goals on Tuesday to guide South Africa to a 2-1 win over 10-man France, but Bafana Bafana still became the first host nation to be eliminated after the first round.
Khumalo scored in the 20th minute when he outjumped France midfielder Abou Diaby to knock a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala into the net with his shoulder. Mphela doubled the lead in the 37th, outmuscling defender Gael Clichy to reach a low cross from Tsepo Masilela and shoot the ball across the line.
Substitute Florent Malouda pulled one back for France in the 70th.
France played with 10 men after Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya in the 25th. AP
