Bafana Bafana secured their first win at the COSAFA Cup after defeating Zimbabwe 2-0 in their second Group A clash on Saturday afternoon.
COSAFA Cup
Result: South Africa 2-0 Zimbabwe
Date: 07 June 2025
Venue: Free State Stadium
South Africa coach Vela Khumalo made two changes from the loss to Mozambique as Boitumelo Radiopane, Kwanda Mngonyama and Masindi Nemtajela were handed starts, as Victor Letsoalo, Vuyo Letlapa and Sanele Barns dropped to the bench.
Both players looked to make an early impact in the contest, with Radiopane being denied by goalkeeper Mapisa in a one-on-one situation on ten minutes before Nemtajela fired with only the goalkeeper to beat a few minutes later.
The first continued in similar fashion to the game against Mozambique, with South Africa dominating possession but failing to take their clear-cut chances in the box.
Bafana, however, were afforded a lifeline on 39 minutes after being awarded a penalty for a foul on Nemtajela, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) approving the decision, which allowed Kabelo Dlamini to step up and convert the spot-kick.
Zimbabwe could have fallen further behind in the first period but had Mapisa to thank for keeping the score down with some vital saves before the halftime break.
Scroll through the gallery above to see action from Bafana's win.
Bafana carried their dominance into the second period but were let down by their decision-making, with Nemtajela passing up a great chance ten minutes by snapping at shot in the box.
Coach Khumalo opted for a double change on 70 minutes as Puso Dithejane and Letlapa were introduced to replace Dlamini and Siyanda Msani for the final 20 minutes of the second half.
After waves of attack, Bafana got their second goal in the 77th minute when Ime Okon, who has been linked with Kaizer Chiefs, rose well and headed past Mapisa.
The win takes South Africa up to second spot in Group A, one point above third-place Mauritius, who they face in their final group game on Tuesday.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Mbanjwa, Msani, Okon, McCarthy, Moralo, Dlamini, Mgonyama, Nemtajela, Sebelebele, Mkhize. Radiopane
Subs: Mpoto, Johnson, Dithejane, Mfolozi, Duba, Ramabu, Letsoalo, Shabalala, Gcaba, Letlapa, Barns, Mcaba
