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Bafana Bafana revive COSAFA hopes with win over Harare Select
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Bafana Bafana reignited their 2025 COSAFA Cup campaign with a crucial 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in a Group A clash at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Kabelo Dlamini - via a first-half penalty - and a header by Ime Okon in the second half, secured three vital points for the host nation, who now move into second place in the group with three points. They trail Mozambique, who sit at the top with four points, by just one, with one group game remaining.
The victory keeps South Africa's hopes alive as only the top team in each of the four groups advances to the tournament's knockout phase.
Bafana coach Vela Khumalo made four changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Mozambique in their opening match. Siyanda Msani, Kwanda Mngonyama, Masindi Nemtajela, and Boitumelo Radiopane came into the starting XI, replacing Puso Dithejane, Victor Letsoalo, Sanele Barns, and Vuyo Letlapa.
The reshuffled lineup showed promise early on, dominating possession but lacking composure in front of goal. Nemtajela had two golden opportunities in the 13th and 15th minutes but failed to convert, firing wide on both occasions.
Zimbabwean goalkeeper Martin Mapisa was in fine form, denying both Radiopane and Dlamini within the first 20 minutes. However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 39th minute when Nemtajela was fouled in the box, earning a penalty that Dlamini calmly converted to put South Africa ahead.
Bafana nearly doubled their lead before the break when Siphesihle Mkhize was denied again by the in-form Mapisa.
South Africa maintained their attacking rhythm in the second half. Radiopane set up Nemtajela early in the stanza, but the Marumo Gallants midfielder missed the open target with the keeper off his line.
The hosts continued pressing and came close in the 69th minute through a well-worked set-piece from Dlamini, but Radiopane could not finish.
Mapisa continued to frustrate the South African attack, saving another effort from Radiopane in the 75th minute. But Bafana's persistence paid off shortly after as Gape Moralo's well-delivered set-piece found Ime Okon, who rose highest to nod in South Africa's second in the 78th minute.
South Africa now face Mauritius in their final group fixture on Tuesday at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, needing nothing less than a win to keep their semi-final ambitions alive and potentially leapfrog Mozambique - depending on other results.
With renewed momentum and home support behind them, Bafana Bafana will be aiming to complete the job and advance to the knockouts in search of regional glory.
Goals from Kabelo Dlamini - via a first-half penalty - and a header by Ime Okon in the second half, secured three vital points for the host nation, who now move into second place in the group with three points. They trail Mozambique, who sit at the top with four points, by just one, with one group game remaining.
The victory keeps South Africa's hopes alive as only the top team in each of the four groups advances to the tournament's knockout phase.
Bafana coach Vela Khumalo made four changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Mozambique in their opening match. Siyanda Msani, Kwanda Mngonyama, Masindi Nemtajela, and Boitumelo Radiopane came into the starting XI, replacing Puso Dithejane, Victor Letsoalo, Sanele Barns, and Vuyo Letlapa.
The reshuffled lineup showed promise early on, dominating possession but lacking composure in front of goal. Nemtajela had two golden opportunities in the 13th and 15th minutes but failed to convert, firing wide on both occasions.
Zimbabwean goalkeeper Martin Mapisa was in fine form, denying both Radiopane and Dlamini within the first 20 minutes. However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 39th minute when Nemtajela was fouled in the box, earning a penalty that Dlamini calmly converted to put South Africa ahead.
South Africa maintained their attacking rhythm in the second half. Radiopane set up Nemtajela early in the stanza, but the Marumo Gallants midfielder missed the open target with the keeper off his line.
The hosts continued pressing and came close in the 69th minute through a well-worked set-piece from Dlamini, but Radiopane could not finish.
Mapisa continued to frustrate the South African attack, saving another effort from Radiopane in the 75th minute. But Bafana's persistence paid off shortly after as Gape Moralo's well-delivered set-piece found Ime Okon, who rose highest to nod in South Africa's second in the 78th minute.
South Africa now face Mauritius in their final group fixture on Tuesday at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, needing nothing less than a win to keep their semi-final ambitions alive and potentially leapfrog Mozambique - depending on other results.
With renewed momentum and home support behind them, Bafana Bafana will be aiming to complete the job and advance to the knockouts in search of regional glory.
Source - online
