Bafana Bafana remain winless in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after letting a two-goal lead slip against Liberia on Friday night.
Africa Cup of Nations
Result: South Africa 2-2 Liberia
Date: 24 March 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Overseas-based trio Percy Tau, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Lyle Foster started in the Bafana attack, while there were six Mamelodi Sundowns players in Hugo Broos' line-up.
Liberia threatened in the opening exchanges but as the game opened up, the hosts were awarded a penalty on 11 minutes after goalkeeper Tommy Songo brought Tau down in the box with a high boot. Foster took the responsibility of the spot-kick and gave Hugo Broos' charges the lead with a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Bafana gained confidence and Foster quickly doubled their lead on 22 minutes with a glancing header at the near post after a corner by Teboho Mokoena.
South Africa were playing high up the pitch and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was nearly caught off his line towards the interval after Oscar Dorley unleahed a dipping long range shot that was tipped over the crossbar by the back-pedalling Williams.
Bafana were forceful from the break and Tau found the back of the net with a dipping free-kick from the edge of the box but the goal was disallowed, as it was supposed to be an indirect free-kick.
The hosts remained on the front foot and the Al Ahly forward had a big chance just after the hour-mark after he went clear on goal from a ball over the top by Thapelo Morena but he dragged his shot wide, one-on-one with Songo.
The Lone Stars felt they were still in the game and Tonia Tisdell gave them a lifeline on 68 minutes with a free-kick that took a slight deflection at the near post and deceived Williams.
Broos reacted immediately with a double change, as Monnapule Saleng replaced Hlongwane for a different approach upfront and Sphephelo Sithole came on for Zwane to shore up the midfield.
Bafana took their foot off the pedal somewhat in the dying minutes as Mohammed Sangare unleashed a rocket from out of the box in stoppage time that gave Williams no chance and handed Liberia their first point.
The two nations will meet in Liberia on Tuesday for the reverse fixture.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Morena, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Le Roux, Zwane, Hlongwane, Tau, Foster
Subs: Mobbie, Maela, Timm, Saleng, Goss, Sithole, Mothwa, Lepasa, Kekana, Mailula, Sibisi, Mayambela
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