Bafana Bafana began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Mali in Group E on Tuesday night.
Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Mali 2-0 South Africa
Date: 16 January 2024
Venue: Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly
Mothobi Mvala recovered from a groin injury to partner Siyanda Xulu in the centre of defence while Evidence Makgopa led the attack, supported by Themba Zwane, Percy Tau and Thapelo Maseko.
In a frantic start from both sides, Amadou Haidara almost gave the Eagles the lead on nine minutes after a mistake defensively but his shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
South Africa were awarded a penalty on 18 minutes for a foul in the box following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review but Percy Tau fired his spot-kick over the crossbar.
Hugo Broos' charges gained confidence on the ball and Tau had a big chance to redeem himself ten minutes before the break after going through in the box but his shot at the near post was saved by goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
Bafana continued to create chances but they were not clinical and nearly conceded on the stroke of half-time from a counter-attack after Williams denied Lassine Sinayoko in a one-on-one.
Mali were more attacking coming from the break as five minutes later Haidara had a big chance after going through unmarked on the blindside but he struck his shot over the crossbar.
The Eagles' pressure finally paid off on the hour-mark after Hamari Traore broke the deadlock with a tap-in from a rebound after Williams parried Sekou Koita's free-kick into the crossbar.
Mali remained on the front foot and Sinayoko doubled their lead six minutes later with a diagonal shot past Williams after he raced through on goal from a through ball in the box.
Bafana struggled to create chances and with 15 minutes to go, Broos made a double attacking change, as Mihlali Mayambela and Zakhele Lepasa replaced both Zwane and Makgopa for fresh legs.
South Africa picked up their tempo going forward after that but they could not find spaces in the last third as the Eagles dropped deep and formed a low block.
Teboho Mokoena almost pulled a goal back for Bafana in stoppage time with a long range shot that came off the post, but 2-0 was how the clash ended as Bafana look to bounce back against Namibia on Sunday.
Here's how they lined up:
Mali: Diarra, Traore, Haidara, Kouyate, Niakate, Bissouma, Sacko, Koita, Dieng, Sinayoko, Doumbia
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau, Maseko, Zwane, Makgopa
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mashego, Appollis, Adams, Monare, Lepasa, Kekana, Sibisi, Mayambela, Morena
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