Bafana Bafana finished third at the 2023 COSAFA Cup after defeating Malawi on penalties at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs youngster Puso Dithejane received his first start of the tournament in addition to appearances for Tebogo Tlolane and Genino Palace from the relegated Maritzburg United.
Malawi were early out of the blocks as powerful header forced Bafana goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela to push onto the woodwork before seeing the ball roll behind goal.
That threat didn’t prove a great deal to the host around the middle of the first half, as they nearly went ahead through Tshegofatso Mabasa, who got past a challenge at the other end and stung the gloves of Brighton Munthali with a rasping shot.
The Flames began to up the ante and had a first-time volley on the cusp of the box by Chrispine Mapemba produced an equally smart save from Mzimela.
Although, the action turned to the other end where Rowan Human managed to cut into the area and produced a shot which Munthali parried away.
Mzimela remained the busier of the goalkeepers in the final five minutes to halftime as he was called to guide a powerful free-kick by Patrick Mwaungulu into touch.
Bafana introduced a triple change after halftime, with Thembela Sikhakhane, Lyle Lakay and Iqraam Rayners entering the field of play.
The Flames continued to pose more of the danger after the interval as a first-time shot from close-range by Mwaungulu drew Mzimela to a save.
Bafana, though, could’ve taken the lead through a clever attempt in the area by Rayners, but he found the face of the upright minutes later.
However, both goalkeepers remained busy as efforts either end kept coming in pursuit to make the breakthrough though neither profited and to a shoot-out it went.
Bafana emerged victories in the penalty shoot-out as Human netted the final effort after the Flames had missed one of theirs and saw the host to third place.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Mzimela, Dithejane, Mohamme, Gumede, Sebetlela, Palace, Kobedi, Human, Tlolane, Letsoalo, Mabasa
Malawi: Munthali, Chembezi, Chaziya, Rameck, Willard, Daniel, Idana, Mapemba, Mwaungulu, Kaonga, Mphasi
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