Bafana Bafana advanced to the COSAFA Cup plate final after defeating Madagascar 2-1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Friday afternoon.
COSAFA Cup
Result: South Africa 2-1 Madagascar
Date: 14 July 2022
Venue: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Bafana made two changes to the side that lost on penalties to Mozambique, as Boitumelo Radiopane and Sydney Malivha dropped to the bench in favour of Jayden Adams and Chumani Butsaka.
The hosts nation had a quick start, finding spaces in the box, with Rowan Human pulling the strings in the last third but they were only let down by their finishing touches.
Keletso Sifama eventually broke the deadlock for Helman Mkhalele's charges midway through the first stanza with a strike in the box after a cross from the far side by Zuko Mdunyelwa.
South Africa had their tails up and Butsaka had a chance to double their lead just after the half-hour mark after dribbling his way into the box, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Bastia Eddit.
Bafana continued to threaten Madagascar's goal just before the halftime break but Eddit stood firm as he smothered Kegan Johannes' header from Siyanda Msani's cross.
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South Africa started the second half with the same energy as Mdunyelwa had a chance to double their lead after a forward pass by Sifama but he ballooned his shot over the crossbar.
Bafana remained in control of the contest, although they were struggling to get clear opportunities, as Madagascar were defending in numbers.
Going into the last quarter of an hour, Mkhalele made a double change, as Ethan Brooks replaced Adams in a tactical tweak in midfield while Radiopane came on for Sifama upfront, who was stretchered off the pitch injured.
With the game on the edge, South Africa eventually found the second goal five minutes before time after Butsaka fired a powerful strike past Eddit in the box after he was setup by Radiopane.
Madagascar pulled a goal back just three minutes later courtesy of Koloina Razafidranaivo but Bafana held on to seal a place in the Plate final on Sunday.
South Africa will face the winner between Botswana and Eswatini in the other Plate semi-final in the afternoon.
Here's how they line up:
South Africa: Vyer, Mdunyelwa, Msani, Johannes, Mcaba, Human, Butsaka, Adams, Rasebotja, Sifama, Maseko.
Subs: Mzimela, Van Wyk, Shezi, Mashigo, Mahlangu, Malivha, Nthene, Cele, Brooks, Matrose, Radiopane, Ndhlovu
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