Bafana Bafana started their COSAFA Cup campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Mozambique on Wednesday afternoon.
COSAFA Cup
Report: South Africa 0-1 Mozambique
Date: 04 June 2025
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy started in defence, while Kabelo Dlamini, Sanele Barns and Ime Okon were also among the starters for Vela Khumalo's side.
The game was played at a lively pace in the early stages of the first half, with South African goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa called upon to make a vital save on the line inside the opening 15 minutes.
Khumalo's charges went agonisingly close to taking the lead at the midway point, as Victor Letsoalo saw his close-range effort crash against the crossbar while Dlamini was unable to profit from the rebound.
Bafana were in control for most of the first half but coach Khumalo would have entered the halftime break disappointed as they were unable to turn that dominance into goals.
South Africa were almost made to rue those missed opportunities when Mozambique took the lead ten minutes into the second half when a shot from Antonio Sumbane hit the crossbar and ricocheted in off Puso Dithejane, but the goal was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside.
Khumalo responded with his first change for Bafana after minutes as Siphesihle Mkhize made for Mduduzi Shabalala to freshen up the attack.
However, Mozambique got their reward in the 73rd minute when Mbanjwa could only parry a shot from Keyns Abdala into the path of Sumbane, who made no mistake from close range, with VAR approving the strike.
Bafana thought they were given a lifeline with seven minutes left on the clock after being awarded a penalty, but the referee was advised to check the VAR monitor, the decision was overturned.
The hosts threw everything forward in search of the equaliser, but Mozambique remained resolute to hold on for the victory.
Bafana will be back in action on Saturday afternoon against Zimbabwe.
Here's how they lined up:
Bafana Bafana: Mbanjwa, Dithejane, McCarthy, Okon, Moralo, Dlamini, Letlapa, Sebelebele, Mkhize, Barns, Letsoalo
Subs: Mpoto, Msani, Mfolozi, Duba, Ramabu, Shabalala, Radiopane, Mngonyama, Gcaba, Nemtajela, Johnson, Mcaba
