Bafana take tournament honours in Zambia

● Bafana Bafana beat hosts Zambia 2-0 to lift the Four Nations friendly tournament trophy at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola yesterday evening.

Goals by Percy Tau in the 15th minute and the 90th-minute clincher by substitute Lebogang Mothiba gave victory to the South Africans, who beat Angola on penalties in their previous match on Wednesday.

Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda put out a strong starting lineup that included the Orlando Pirates attacking duo of Augustine Mulenga and Justin Shonga, Zesco United midfielder Rodrick Kabwe, Brian Mwila and Spartak Moscow star Fashion Sakala.

South Africa counterpart Stuart Baxter named an exciting XI that included the youth of SuperSport United’s Teboho Mokoena and Siphesihle Ndlovu of Maritzburg United in a midfield and attack that also deployed Kamohelo Mokotjo, Keagan Dolly, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Tau.

Pirates’ Innocent Maela debuted at leftback, while Baxter assessed Kaizer Chiefs’ in-form Daniel Cardoso next to captain Thulani Hlatshwayo at centreback.

South Africa took the lead when Tau capitalised on a fumble by goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.

The livewire Mamelodi Sundowns forward broke through for an opportunity to make it 2-0 within minutes, but blasted wide with just Nsabata to beat.

Hlatshwayo’s poor pass to Cardoso was intercepted by Mwila, but the big striker produced a weak shot at goal.

Zesco United forward Lazarus Kambule, the scorer of the injury-time equaliser in the semifinal against Zimbabwe that sent that match to penalties, replaced Mwila in the 36th minute and two minutes later tested Itumeleng Khune with a dangerous shot.

Khune continued to keep SA in the game with a save from Ziyo Tembo’s header soon after the restart. Chiefs’ keeper also made a brilliant stop from a strike by Ernest Mbewe.

Moments after coming on as Bafana's third substitute Lille striker Mothiba was played into the area down the left and stabbed Bafana’s second past Nsabata. TimesLIVE