Bafana Bafana got back to winning ways after defeating Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday evening.
International Friendly
Result: South Africa 1-0 DR Congo
Date: 12 September 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Bafana head coach Hugo Broos made wholesale changes to the side drew with Namibia, as he brought back the likes of Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa, Mihlali Mayambela and Mothobi Mvala.
The hosts were under attack in the early stages as within the first ten minutes Joris Kayembe came close giving Congo the lead with a left-footed shot in the box that was saved in the bottom corner by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
However, Bafana picked themselves up and Lyle Foster broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a shot from a rebound in the box after DRC could not deal with a cut-back by Mvala.
The game opened up but Congo were dangerous in attack as Jackson Muleka forced a save out of Goss with a shot in the box shortly after Tau was denied by shot-stopper Mpasi Nzau.
With the game still there for the taking, Bathusi Aubaas had a chance for Bafana just before the halftime break after he was teed up by Tau from a set-piece situation but he fired his shot over the crossbar.
The game continued to open up in the second stanza as ten minutes later Muleka had a good chance for the Leopards after he was played through in the box but his low shot was smothered by Goss.
With a lot of transitions in the match, Broos required fresh legs upfront on 66 minutes, as Monnapule Saleng replaced Mayambela and moments later Lebogang Mothoba came on for Lepasa.
Bafana were more energized going forward and confident on the ball as Aubaas almost killed the game off in the dying minutes with a strike that took a deflection and stretched Mpasi-Nzau to make a reflex save.
Broos' charges still had the momentum in the tail end but they nearly conceded after a miscommunication at the back from a long ball between Nyiko Mobbie and Goss but they had enough cover, as they cleared danger and held on to a narrow win.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Goss, Mobbie, Xulu, Mvala, Maela, Aubaas, Mbunjana, Foster, Tau, Mayambela, Lepasa
Subs: Mothwa, Sibisi, Kekana, Modiba, Monyane, Mmodi, Margeman, Saleng, Kodisang, Sithole, Mothiba
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