Bafana Bafana started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-2 draw against Uganda on Friday evening.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Result: South Africa 2-2 Uganda
Date: 06 September 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Bafana head coach Hugo Broos opted for goalkeeper Veli Mothwa in place of the injured Ronwen Williams in goal, there was also a new centre-back pairing of Rushwin Dortley and Siyabonga Ngezana while Lyle Foster returned to the line-up to spearhead the attack.
South Africa had a bright start as within the first two minutes, Khuliso Mudau came close to opening the scoring after he forced a great save from shot-stopper Ismail Watenga with a strike in the box from an overlap.
Bafana eventually went ahead on 15 minutes after Foster got the better of Watenga in a one-on-one from a through ball by Mudau.
Broos' charges were confident on the ball as they controlled the game and on the half-hour mark, Foster almost made it 2-0 after he was offered space to pick his spot in the box but Watenga made a crucial outstretched save.
However, Bafana could not maintain their attacking intensity towards the end of the first stanza, as Uganda started to venture forward but they could not create openings, as the hosts went to the break with a narrow lead.
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Uganda had a perfect start in the second stanza, as six minutes later Denis Omeda levelled matters with a screamer after he was not closed down on the edge of box.
Bafana were still to get into the game and the Cranes caught them cold again two minutes later after Rogers Mato unleashed a long range effort that slipped past the fingers of Mothwa and gave Paul Put's men the lead.
Broos had to react and with 15 minutes to go, the Belgian brought on Relebohile Mofokeng in place of Zwane for fresh legs in attack.
SA looked lively after that going as shortly after that Teboho Mokoena came close to making it 2-2 with a free-kick on the edge of the box that zipped just past the post.
Bafana pressurized Paul Put's men, who defended deep, in the dying minutes and late substitute Thalente Mbatha eventually equalized in added time with a powerful low shot from a rebound in the box.
South Africa will be away to South Sudan on Tuesday afternoon.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Mothwa, Mudau, Ngezana, Dortley, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Zwane, Mokwana, Appollis, Foster
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Mobbie, Basadien, Mbatha, Adams, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Rayners, Kekana, Sibisi, Morena
Uganda: Watenga, Bwomono, Kayanda, Mugbi, Ssekiganda, Mata, Aucho, Mukwala, Mutyaba, Omedi
