Bafana Bafana and Namibia could not be separated after playing to a goalless draw in an international friendly on Saturday afternoon.
International Friendly
Result: South Africa 0-0 Namibia
Date: 09 September 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Bafana head coach Hugo Broos handed debuts to Thabiso Monyane and Kobamelo Kodisang, who started alongside Monnapule Saleng and Lyle Foster in a front three while Siyanda Xulu captained the side, as goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was given a run ahead of Ronwen Williams.
The game got off to a quick start as within the first three minutes Namibia striker Bethuel Mazeu had a big chance after he beat the offside trap to go clear on goal but he fired his shot wide across goal.
Bafana swiftly found their rhythm moments later going forward as Bathusi Aubaas forced a save out of goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua with a strike unmarked in the box after a cut-back by Foster.
The Brave Warriors were dangerous on transitions as on 24 minutes Absalom Limbondi carved out a space in the box and unleashed a low shot that produced a reflex save from Mothwa.
Broos' charges had the momentum as Saleng came close to breaking the deadlock twice just before the interval firstly with a strike that was deflected onto the post by Kazapua and with a diagonal free-kick kept out of the top corner by the Chippa United shot-stopper.
Bafana started the second stanza brightly as four minutes in Kodisang came close with a cracking diagonal shot that flashed just past the top corner.
To put more pressure on Namibia, Broos eventually made an attacking change just after the hour-mark as he brought on Pule Mmodi in place of Aubaas.
Bafana pinned back the Brave Warriors in their own half and with 18 minutes to go, Mothiba had a good chance in the box after a teasing cross by Aubrey Modiba but he glanced his header over the crossbar.
South Africa nearly got the winner two minutes before time after Grant Kekana's free header was tipped into the crossbar and over by Kazapua from a cross by his club teammate Modiba.
Mmodi also came close in second-half stoppage time, but Bafana were not clinical as Namibia held on for the draw.
Broos' men will face Democratic Republic of Congo in another friendly on Tuesday evening at the same Stadium.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Mothwa, Monyane, Xulu, Sibisi, Maela, Sithole, Aubaas, Margeman, Saleng, Kodisang, Foster
Subs: Goss, Mobbie, Kekana, Modiba, Mvala, Mmodi, Mbunjana, Mayambela, Tau, Lepasa, Mothiba
Namibia: Kazapua, Nyambe, Amutenya, Gebhardt, Hanamub, Petrus, Shitembi, Tjiueza, Limbondi, Hotto, Muzeu
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