Fine start for new Bafana coach

The Molefi Ntseki era got off to a fine start yesterday afternoon in Port Elizabeth, as Bafana Bafana edged Mali 2-1 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge.

A Dean Furman penalty and a Themba Zwane (below) strike on the stroke of half-time were enough to take Bafana home, though Mali’s attacking prodigy Sekou Koita provided a late scare with a brilliantly-taken effort 16 minutes from time.

Mali came with a team full of Europe-based talent, with RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old Amadou Haidara in central midfield, and captain Molla Wague, who plies his trade with Nantes in Ligue 1, in the defence.

In fact, all of Mali’s squad except their goalkeepers were based in Europe, giving an idea of the challenge in front of Ntseki’s Bafana.

Ntseki also had to go into this game without striking duo Lebo Mothiba and Percy Tau, who failed late fitness tests. With Thami Mkhize and Sifiso Hlanti also unavailable, Thapelo Morena and Innocent Maela filled in at fullback, while Bradley Grobler led the line. Keagan Dolly got a first start since missing the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations through injury and Thulani Serero was also handed a chance in midfield.

Serero and Dolly both played a role in Bafana taking the lead in the 24th minute. Dolly played a fine pass into the path of Serero, who was brought down in the penalty area by Kiki Kouyate.

Dean Furman stepped up to take the spot-kick, and made no mistake, sending Dijigui Diarra the wrong way.

It had looked like a blow for Ntseki’s team as Dolly hobbled from the field, and Zwane came on five minutes before the break.

But the Mamelodi Sundowns attacker is a pretty handy replacement, and he proved it as he latched onto Thembinkosi Lorch’s pass and drilled a low shot past Diarra in the Mali goal.