Bafana Bafana secured the bronze medal at the COSAFA Cup after defeating Malawi on penalties on Sunday afternoon.
COSAFA Cup
Result: Malawi 0-0 South Africa (Bafana won 5-3 on penalties)
Date: 16 July 2023
Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
Morena Ramoreboli rang the changes after the semi-final loss to Zambia, as Kaizer Chiefs starlet Puso Dithejane, Siyabonga Gumede, Genino Palace and Shadrack Kobedi were handed their first starts of the competition.
The last meeting between these two nations ended in a penalty shoot-out win for the South Africans in the 2019 plate final, while Bafana did beat Malawi 3-1 in their last international friendly in 2012.
Bafana had been slow off the mark in previous encounters and on two occasions found themselves needing to come from behind to secure the victory, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the early stages of the first half.
At the other end, South African goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela was kept busy throughout the opening 45 minutes, as he was called upon to keep out a powerful volley from Chrispine Mapemba to keep the scores level.
Bafana's top scorer at the tournament Tshegofatso Mabasa and Rowen Human had a couple efforts at goal themselves, but none were able to find a way past Zambian goalkeeper Brighton Munthali.
Iqraam Rayners was brought on in the second half and could have broke the deadlock ten minutes in, but the Stellenbosch striker could only direct his effort onto the upright from close-range.
Lyle Lakay and Thembela Sikhakhane were also introduced by Ramoreboli early in the second stanza, while Shaune Mogaila also replaced Katlego Mohamme on the hour mark as they pushed for the opening goal.
While Bafana were let down by their product in the final third, Mzimela was called upon on a couple occasions to produce a some key saves as Malawi grew stronger as the second half progressed.
However, neither side could find the breakthrough goal in the latter periods of the second half despite the South African side seeing a lot more of the possession and the game would go on to a penalty shoot-out.
Bafana held their nerve in the shoot-out and converted all five spot-kicks to secure a third-place finish at the COSAFA Cup.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Mzimela, Dithejane, Mohamme, Gumede, Sebetlela, Palace, Kobedi, Human, Tlolane, Letsoalo, Mabasa
Malawi: Munthali, Chembezi, Chaziya, Rameck, Willard, Daniel, Idana, Mapemba, Mwaungulu, Kaonga, Mphasi
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