Bafana Bafana started their COSAFA Cup journey with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique on Wednesday night.
COSAFA Cup
Result: South Africa 1-1 Mozambique
Date: 26 June 2024
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Bafana were skippered by Rushwin Dortley in the centre of defence alongside Thabo Moloisane while they had the attack of Asanele Velebayi, Thabang Sibanyoni and Devon Titus.
Helman Mkhalele's charges were on the front foot from the off as three minutes into the game Velebayi almost opened the scoring with a header that came off the post.
South Africa were playing a high line, as they continued to pressurize Mozambique but on 25 minutes goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto was caught way out of his area with a looping strike but he managed to avoid his blushes, after making a last-ditch save.
Bafana kept on coming and Sibanyoni had a big chance eight minutes before the break after going clear on goal in the box but he was denied by shot-stopper Acaio Muendane in a one-on-one.
SA eventually went ahead a couple of minutes later after Dortley side-footed a square pass by Ethan Brooks unmarked in the box towards the bottom corner.
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The Mambas came back a different side from the break as six minutes into the second stanza Gianluca Lorenzoni fired a warning shot with a curling shot that flew just above the top corner.
As Bafana looked to affect the game from the bench on 65 minutes after brining on the fresh legs of pacy attackers Lehlohonolo Mojela and Tshepang Moremi.
Mozambique were still spirited, as Chamito Alfandega levelled matters with a low rocket from range that beat Mpoto in the bottom corner.
Mkhalele's men came to life again going forward in the closing stages and in the dying minutes Keanu Cupido had a chance after a rebound in the box found him unmarked but he sliced his shot wide.
Bafana pressurized the Mambas in the tail end but they they did not have the luck in front of goal as the sides had to share a point apiece.
All teams in Group A are tied on one point after Botswana was also held to a goalless draw by Eswatini in the afternoon.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Mpoto, Modise, Matuludi, Moloisane, Dortley, Poggenpoel, Kwayiba, Brooks, Sibanyoni, Velebayi, Titus
Subs: Xulu, Thikazi, Kammies, Mcaba, Mojela, ACupido, Van Wyk, Rhodes
