Bafana Bafana were held to a 1-1 draw by Andorra, who are ranked 164th world, in an international friendly on Thursday night.
International Friendly
Result: Andorra 1-1 South Africa
Date: 21 March 2024
Venue: Stade du 19 Mai 1956
Coach Hugo Broos made a number of changes from the side's last encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Sibisi and Thapelo Morena were the only players to keep their spot in the side.
Andorra had not scored in their last six matches but found the breakthrough after just six minutes when goalkeeper Ricardo Goss mis-controlled a pass in the box, which allowed Ricard Fernandez to slot into empty.
Other than Goss' big error, Bafana dominate for most of the first half and were unlucky not to be level when Andorra goalkeeper did well to keep out a powerful strike from Morena on the edge of the box.
Bafana did get back on level terms midway through the first half as Elias Mokwana turned well in the box before seeing his take a deflection and sail into the far corner for his first-ever goal for the national side.
Broos' charges should have entered the break in the lead after dominating possession for the entire opening 45 minutes, but 1-1 was how the score remained at the break although Mokwana was a bright spark for Bafana throughout.
The South Africans carried the dominance inoto the second half and nearly pulled ahead five minutes in but Patrick Maswanganyi was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Josep Gómes.
After introducing Grant Margeman at halftime, Broos opted for a couple more changes after the hour mark as Aubrey Modiba and Nyiko Mobbie were introduced in place of Terrence Mashego and Morena for the final 30 minutes.
Bafana squandered another big chance to take the lead when Maswanganyi got on the end of a cross in the six-yard area but his header was saved on the line by Gomes, who had kept his side in the contest.
That proved to be the final big chance for Broos' men in the second half, as the AFCON bronze medalists had to settle for the draw ahead of Tuesday's clash against hosts Algeria.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Goss, Mokwana, Sibisi, Xoki, Mashego, Monare, Mosele, Morena, Maswanganyi, Mbanjwa, Mayo.
Subs: Bvuma, Mobbie, Xulu, Modiba, Kekana, Mokoena, Zwane, Margeman, Appollis, Mayambela, Rayners
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