South Africa 1-1 Nambia: Brave Warriors fight back to hold Bafana Bafana
Molefi Ntseki’s men let their neighbours off the hook in the second half and in the end, both sides settled for a draw
South Africa and Namibia played to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly which was played at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Thursday night.
Luther Singh opened the scoring with a sublime finish for Bafana Bafana in the second half but the Brave Warriors fought back and drew level through Absalom Iimbondi’s second-half strike.
Bafana now shift focus to Zambia whom they are facing on Sunday for their final match of this international break.
Coach Molefi Ntseki surprised many by naming a relatively inexperienced starting line-up with three players in Thibang Phete, Siyethemba Sithebe and Thabo Nodada getting their first run for Bafana Bafana.
The 51-year-old mentor had to change his initial starting XI, replacing the injured Reeve Frosler with Abubaker Mobara just minutes before the game.
Ronwen Williams was handed the captain’s armband on the day as Thulani Hlatshwayo wasn’t part of the matchday squad.
The home side had a bright start to the match with Mothobi Mvala and Nodada dictating terms in midfield.
Keagan Dolly and Innocent Maela took the game to Namibians as Bafana Bafana played like they have been together for quite some time.
South Africa got in front in the 18th minute when they capitalised on Namibia’s defensive mistakes and launched a quick counter attacker into the box.
Kermit Erasmus, leading the attack ahead of Percy Tau, received possession from inside the box before setting up Singh for Bafana’s opening goal.
The 23-year-old controlled the ball nicely before slotting it past Virgil Vries with his weaker foot.
It was Bafana Bafana who dominated the game afterwards, giving the Brave Warriors no chance to attack or even test Williams.
Peter Shalulile should have done better on the stroke of half-time after some sloppy defending from Bafana Bafana but the new Mamelodi Sundowns striker fired wide from the edge of the box, much to the disappointment of the Namibian bench.
More to follow…
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