Bafana Bafana missed the chance to move top of Group C at the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after a goalless draw against Niger on Friday night.
African Nations Championship
Result: Niger 0-0 South Africa
Date: 15 August 2025
Venue: Nelson Mandela Stadium
Coach Molefi Ntseki handed starts to Keagan Johannes, Kaketso Majadibodu and Tebogo Tlolane following the win over Guinea on Monday evening, as Menzi Masuku, Terrence Mashego and Kwanda Mngonyama dropped out.
Niger made a lively start to the encounter as they went in search of their first win of the tournament, although they could only register efforts from distance.
Bafana were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes when Majadibodu was deemed to have been brought down by Ridouane Assane in the box. However, after a review on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor, the referee overturned her decision.
Other than the overturned penalty, Bafana had to wait until the 45th minute for their first chance at goal as Keagan Dolly did well to play in Wayde Jooste, who saw his first-time effort saved by goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja.
South Africa should have scored in first-time stoppage time when Thabiso Kutumela was denied by Tanja in a one-on-one situation while Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo's shot was brilliantly blocked on the rebound.
Niger were a lot more threatening as the second half resumed, with Kassa squandering a chance by firing over the crossbar from close range as Bafana went to sleep at the back.
South Africa nearly fell behind with 15 minutes left on the clock as Mohamed Abdouramane lost his marker to meet a corner but his header was kept out by the upright with goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu well beaten.
Ntseki threw on Zakhele Lepasa and Masuku for the latter stages of the second half, but they were unable to find a way past the Niger defence as both nations had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Bafana sit third in Group C ahead of their final clash against Uganda on Monday.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Xulu, Mphahlele, Khoza, Johannes, Jooste, Kutumela, Ndlondlo, Maema, Tlolane, Majadibodu, Dolly
Subs: Thuntshane, Nkosi, Mashinini, Molaoa, Masuku, Lepasa, Dlambewu, Makaringe, Mbanjwa, Masiya
