Mokoena screamer wins it for Bafana

BAFANA Bafana had a successful international break after recording wins in their two friendlies against Sierra Leone and neighbours Botswana.

The South Africans drubbed the Leone Stars 4-0 in their first friendly on Saturday, before beating the Zebras 1-0 at FNB Stadium yesterday.

Bafana will now turn their attention to friendlies in November as they will continue to prepare for two key 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. In these qualifiers, they will face Liberia in back-to-back matches that they must win, as those games could secure their spot in Ivory Coast. Coach Hugo Broos had already indicated that he would love to stick with this team going forward, especially given the camaraderie among the players.

And coming into the Botswana game, he had made it clear he would change the entire team that beat Sierra Leone as he wanted to give other players a chance. In the team that faced Botswana, there were a few debutants, including Kaizer Chiefs striker Ashley Du Preez.

But the opening stages of the game belonged to the Zebras as they controlled possession, only to be let down by their final penetration.

As the game approached the half-hour mark, Bafana started to take charge of matters, catching the Zebras on the break in trying to find Du Preez. But the Amakhosi striker missed Bafana’s first chance as he went one-on-one with goalkeeper Lesenya Malapelae, who made himself big and blocked the effort.

That missed chance didn’t deter Du Preez, as he tested the waters again with a hard and low shot, only to force another save out of Malapelae. Du Preez may have had the most chances, but it was Khanyisa Mayo who was the livewire up front – so much so that he won the free-kick that led to the opener.

Teboho Mokoena scored the resultant free-kick seven minutes before halftime, drilling a low effort into the corner, leaving Malapelae helpless.

Bafana went into the break ahead, and tried to double their tally early in the second half, only to be let down by their finishing.

As the second half went on, Bafana became complacent and they were pinned in their half by Botswana. As a result, Rushine de Reuck made a goal-line clearance after keeper Veli Mothwa was beaten in a one-on-one duel.

But the AmaZulu No 1 redeemed himself as he made a pinpoint save from a Mosha Gaolaolwe shot before the latter missed the resultant rebound. Bafana had a chance to wrap up the game in the dying stages as Mokoena was unleashed from midfield with a lovely pass.