Just days after securing a 5-0 win, Bafana Bafana played to a 1-1 draw against Congo-Brazzaville in an 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday evening.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
Result: Congo 1-1 South Africa
Date: 15 October 2024
Venue: Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat
Bafana made only one enforced change after a 5-0 win in the corresponding fixture last Friday, as Iqraam Rayners joined Themba Zwane, Oswin Appollis and Elias Mokwana in attack, as a replacement for the injured Lyle Foster.
Hugo Broos' charges were playing from deep in the early stages, as they settled for chances on counter-attacks, with Congo motivated by a big crowd and were a different proposition from the encounter at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
It took up until just before the half-hour mark for South Africa to get a clear-cut opportunity, after Mokwana went through on goal on the wide channel but his shot missed narrowly wide.
The Leopards were playing a high line and paid the price moments later after Mokwana raced through in the middle and broke the deadlock with a tap-in from a rebound after his initial shot, in a one-on-one was saved by goalkeeper Trey Vimalin.
Congo showed fighting spirit, as they had a goal disallowed moments before Mons Bassouamina made it 1-1 on the stroke of halftime with a powerful low shot from a through ball.
The Leopards pressurized Bafana in the opening exchanges of the second stanza as they nearly went ahead after Khuliso Mudau made a clearance with a header under the crossbar, with shot-stopper Ronwen Williams beaten.
With their backs against the wall for most periods, in anticipation of the last 20 minutes, Broos made defensive and tactical changes, as Nyiko Mobbie replaced Rayners and Thapelo Morena came on for Appollis.
The home side had the momentum and with seven minutes remaining, Silvere Ganvoula almost snatched the winner after going through on goal but his diagonal shot missed the far post by inches.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes and the sides ended all square, as South Africa remained second in Group K, two points behind leaders Uganda and four points ahead of third-placed Congo, with two rounds remaining.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Dortley, Modiba, Mokoena, Aubaas, Mokwana, Appollis, Rayners, Zwane
Subs: Goss, Chaine, Mobbie, Basadien, Le Roux, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Kwayiba, Sibisi, Sesane, Morena
