2022 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
Result: South Africa 2-0 São Tomé e Príncipe
Date: 13 November 2020
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Bafana Bafana moved three points behind Group C leaders Ghana after claiming a scrappy 2-0 win over São Tomé e Príncipe on Friday evening.
Click through the gallery above to see action from Bafana's win over Sao Tome.
Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki brought back the tried and tested, as only Thulani Hlatshwayo, Themba Zwane and Percy Tau remained in the line-up from the side that lost against Zambia last month.
The hosts had an early chance to take the lead in the sixth minute after Zwane floated a teasing cross to the near post but Lebogang Manyama glanced his header over the bar.
The visitors goalkeeper Aldair D'Almeida almost gifted Bafana the opener in the 19th minute after he spilled the ball into the path of Tau, who was unable to profit after misplacing his pass towards Manyama, who was free in the box.
The visitors were threatening to break the deadlock in the latter stages of the first stanza with quick counter-attacks through the wings and Edmilson Viegas came the closest six minutes before the break after he timed his run well at the back post chasing a cross but he guided his header over the bar.
Ntseki's charges were fired up after the break and they were given a lifeline ten minutes inside the second stanza after being awarded penalty for a foul on Tau, who took responsibility against substitute shot-stopper Taty Nilson who had just come on and made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Zwane should have doubled the lead for South Africa in the 63rd minute with a glancing header that missed the gaping ne, but the Sao Tome and Principe goalkeeper redeemed himself four minutes later after denying Keagan Dolly the second goal with a trailing leg in a one-on-one situation.
The islanders had a strong penalty appeal in the last 11 minutes after a long cross appeared to hit Manyama's arm in the box but the referee was not persuaded.
Second-half substitute Bongani Zungu secured the three points for Bafana with the second goal in the last minute after heading home a corner by Dolly.
As a result, South Africa remain in second place in Group C, three points behind leaders Ghana. Meanwhile, Sao Tome sit bottom without a win in three matches.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Morena, Maela, Lebusa, Hlatshwayo (C), Furman, Mokotjo, Manyama, Zwane, Dolly, Percy Tau.
Subs: Keet, Khune, Dube, Lakay, Madisha, De Reuck, Zungu, Singh, Mokoena, Kutumela, Pule, Nodada, Sithebe.
