Bafana Bafana have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations next year after defeating Liberia 2-1 on Tuesday evening.
Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
Result: Liberia 1-2 South Africa
Date: 28 March 2023
Venue: Monrovia Stadium
Bafana coach Hugo Broos re-shuffled the line-up from Friday's draw, as the likes of Lyle Foster, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Aubrey Modiba were replaced by Zakhele Lepasa, Innocent Maela and Mihlali Mayambela.
Hugo Broos' charges absorbed the pressure in the early stages and looked to open up Liberia through combination play, although clear-cut chances were hard to come by.
Lepasa ensured Broos made the right decision with his selection by opening the scoring on 19 minutes after going clear on goal from a ball over the defence by Thapelo Morena before firing home.
The Lone Stars came back with more energy after the water break, as William Jabor levelled matters with a low drive from range that goalkeeper Ronwen Williams spilled into the back of the net ten minutes before the break.
Liberia continued to apply pressure going forward but created spaces at the back, with Bafana using the pace of Morena on counter-attacks but they could not restore their lead as the sides went to the halftime level pegging.
Bafana had a perfect start in the second stanza, as Mayambela eventually restored their lead eight minutes from the break with a finish in the box after combining with Percy Tau.
With Liberia desperate to get numbers in attack, Broos eventually made changes after the hour-mark, as Cassius Mailula got his debut in place of Tau for fresh legs.
Ansumana Keita's men had the momentum in the latter phase of the game and Bafana had to weather the storm, as they made a defensive switch after Grant Kekana replaced Sphephelo Sithole.
Liberia threatened to equalise a few times in the dying minutes, as Williams and Siyanda Xulu twice had to clear shots off the line.
South Africa provided their own threat on transitions but the home side side looked more dangerous, as Williams had to make another save in a scramble in the box, handing Bafana victory which sealed their ticket to Ivory Coast.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mobbie, Xulu, Mvala, Maela, Mokoena, Sithole, Morena, Mayambela, Tau, Lepasa
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Le Roux, Sibisi, Kekana, Foster, Modiba, Saleng, Zwane, Mailula, Hlongwane
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