Bafana Bafana started their COSAFA Cup 2023 journey with a 1-1 draw against Namibia on Wednesday evening.
Bafana gave starts to experience figures like Tebogo Tlolane, Shaune Mogaila, Thabo Cele, Lyle Lakay, Lesedi Kapinga and Victor Letsoalo.
Not a lot separated the two nations during the opening stages of play and the runners-up from last year’s edition were keen to stand their ground against their rather fancied host.
As matters settled, Bafana were able to have the better of the forward play and nearly had the lead from a combination by Letsoalo and Tlolane but couldn’t find target.
The Brave Warriors remained calm in their overall approach and looked to frustrate the host in addition to relying on a counter-attacking approach by drawing players out of position.
Bafana’s task was made more difficult three minutes before halftime after the Brave Warriors went ahead through a calmly taken finish by Elmo Kambindu.
Coach Morena Ramoreboli made a host of changes at the start of the second half which saw Rowan Human, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Iqraam Rayners and Sandile Mthethwa come on.
However, the home team managed to bounce back two minutes from the break when substitute Human picked up possession and applied a smashing volley into the net.
Namibia were keen to immediately regain their advantage through persistent forward momentum, but the host had their tails up and showed resilience at the back.
The two teams struggled to get the winner late on around full-time as the offensive structure from both battled to get the desired outcome, but neither could find a second goal as it ended all square at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Barr, Allan, Mohamme, Sikhakhane, Mogaila, Cele, Tlolane, Kobedi, Letoalo, Kapinga, Lakay
Subs: Maova, Gebhardt, Kambindu, Iimbondi, Papama, Rudathm Petrus, Muzea, Kamberipa, Fredericks, Amuntenya
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