Result: South Africa 1-1 Ghana
Date: 25 March 2021
Venue: FNB Stadium
Bafana Bafana's chances of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations remains in their hands despite playing to a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Thursday night.
Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki made six changes from the thumping win over Sao Tome and Principe, as Ruzaigh Gamildien got a start upfront, while Rivaldo Coetzee, Siyanda Xulu, Sifiso Hlanti, Innocent Maela and Andile Jali were also recallded.
The hosts were on the front foot early on as Thapelo Morena had a big chance in the fourth minute after receiving a pass unmarked at the back post but he blasted his strike into the top outside netting.
Hlanti came close to breaking the deadlock for Bafana in the 19th minute with a first-time strike on the left flank that was heading towards the top corner but shot-stopper Razak Abalora parried his effort over the bar.
Ntseki was forced to make a change in the 24th minute after Jali went down injured with an apparent groin injury, with Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari coming on in his place.
Morena was presented with another big for Bafana in similar position to his first one after he was teed up by Percy Tau but again his shot hit the side-netting with 15 minutes left of the half.
The Black Stars broke the deadlock as Mohammed Kudus caught the Bafana defence cold four minutes from the break after going through on goal before poking the ball beyond Ronwen Williams.
South Africa responded almost immediately, as Tau got the equaliser two minutes later with a right-footed strike across Abalora after a through ball by Gamildien.
The game was on the edge after that and Luther Singh came close to snatching a second goal for Bafana in the last quarter of an hour with a strike from just outside the box that missed just wide, before Afriye Acquah went close with a similar at the other end three minutes, as the sides shared the spoils.
As a result, Ghana have secured their spot at next year's Afcon , while Bafana will just need to avoid defeat against Sudan on Sunday to secure passage to next year's tournament.
Bafana: Williams, Hlatshwayo, Xulu, Maela, Hlanti, Coetzee, Jali, Morena, Zwane, Tau, Gamildien
Subs: Khune, Lebusa, Phete, Martin, Pule, Nodada, Mbule, Motshwari, Monare, Foster, Singh, Maboe
Ghana: Abalora, Anang, Baba Abdul Rahman, Opoku, Ganiyu Ismail, Acquah, Poku, Wakaso, Ekuban, Mohammed Kudus, Gyasi
