International Friendly
Result: Bafana Bafana 3-0 Mali
Date: 14 January 2015
Venue: Stade Monedan
Bafana Bafana ended their Africa Cup of Nations preparations with a 3-0 win over Mali in an international friendly on Wednesday afternoon.
This was Bafana's first ever victory over Mali, a side who has twice knocked South Africa out of Africa Cup of Nations in quarter-finals, and will give Shakes Mashaba and his squad a huge confidence boost ahead of the start of the 2015 edition.
It was Mali, who dominated the opening exchanges, while Bafana were chasing shadows for most of the first 20 minutes.
Mashaba's side started seeing more of the ball after the 20 minute-mark, with Mandla Masango and Sibusiso Vilakazi getting little joy in the final third.
Most of Mali's attacks came courtesy of Sambou Yatabare and Ahmed Doumbia down the flanks, both wingers managed to get beyond their opposing fullbacks, but the final ball let them down.
However, Bafana took the lead in the 37th minute, as Thulani Hlatshwayo got on the end of Masango's free-kick to put his side in the lead.
Meanwhile, Mali failed to register a single effort on target in the opening 45 minutes, despite their dominance.
Bongani Ndulula, who struggled upfront in the first half, almost doubled Bafana's lead in the 63rd minute, but his strike was cleared off the line from by Mohammed Konate.
Mali almost leveled matters minutes later, but Mustapha Yatabare's header crashed against the upright.
The Eagles should have equalised in the 67th minute, but Mohammed Traore failed to hit the target from point-blank range.
Bafana then doubled the lead in the 81st minute, as Sibusiso Vilakazi grabbed his second goal in as many games with a finish from three-yards out, after an impressive run through the middle, and a one-two.
Thuso Phala almost made it three minutes later, but after a good break and run, his chipped attempt hit the crossbar and bounced back into play and was cleared.
Mashaba's side then got a third in the 84th minute, courtesy of close range finish from Dean Furman, scoring at the second attempt after his first was saved and rebounded back to him.
Here's how they lined-up:
Bafana Bafana XI: Jackson Mabokgwane, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Thabo Matlaba, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Anele Ngcongca, Dean Furman, Andile Jali (c), Mandla Masango, Thuso Phala, Bongani Ndulula, Sibusiso Vilakazi
Mali: Soumeila Diakite, Drissa Diakite, Mohammed Konate, Adama Tamboura, Molla Wague, Ahmed Doumbia, Seydou Keita, Yacouba Traore, Bakary Sako, Mustapha Yatabare, Sambou Yatabare
