Bafana Bafana remain without a win at the COSAFA Cup after playing to a goalless draw with Botswana on Saturday.
COSAFA Cup
Result: South Africa 0-0 Botswana
Date: 29 June 2024
Venue: Wolfson Stadium
Bafana made only one change after their draw against Mozambique, as Liam Bern replaced Brooklyn Poggenpoel while the attack of Thabang Sibanyoni, Devon Titus and Asanele Velebayi continued.
Helman Mkhalele's charges were not given time and space on the ball in the opening exchanges, with Malebogo Modise and Thabang Matuludi particularly closed down quickly on either wing.
It took up until 20 minutes for South Africa to have a shot on target as Modise unleashed a drive from range that was smothered by shot-stopper Victor James.
Bafana struggled to create chances, as the half-time break approached but they had no counter-attack to worry about as goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto had nothing much to do and the sides went to the interval deadlocked.
Mkhalele and his technical team needed to find a different approach from the dressing room to break down a well organized Botswana, who also needed to improve going forward.
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With Botswana more adventurous from the interval, Mkhalele, on the hour-mark, made an attacking and tacticial change, as Antonio Van Wyk replaced Ethan Brooks.
However, it was Bafana who were caught with balls behind the defence as moments later Tlamelo Kolagano nearly broke the deadlock for the Zebras after going through on goal but he was denied by Mpoto, who closed down the angle in a one-on-one.
South Africa gained an upper hand after that as they pinned Botswana back in their own half but they only came close to finding the back of the net after a dangerous cross in the area searching for Sibanyoni almost turned into an own goal after a Botswana defender collided with James.
In the end, there were no more clear chances, as the sides got a point apiece in Group A.
All sides are tied on two points after Eswatini and Mozambique also played to a goalless draw.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Mpoto, Matuludi, Moloisane, Dortley, Modise, Bern, Brooks, Kwayiba, Velebayi, Titus, Sibanyoni.
Subs: Xulu, Thikazi, Kammies, Mcaba, Mojela, Cupido, van Wyk, Rhodes, Moremi, Cupido, Mzimela, Poggenpoel.
