Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha came off the bench to rescue Bafana Bafana once again, as they defeated South Sudan 3-2 in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
Result: South Sudan 2-3 South Africa
Date: 10 September 2024
Venue: Juba Stadium
Coach Hugo Broos made two changes from the draw with Uganda, as goalkeeper Veli Mothwa dropped out after his costly error as Sipho Chaine made his debut while Thapelo Morena replaced Elias Mokwana on the right side of the attack.
The visitors did not get off to the perfect start after Siyabonga Ngezana conceded a penalty after bringing down Tito Okello, who stepped up and smashed the ball into the back of the net on 15 minutes.
The South Africans weren't behind for too long as Oswin Appollis grabbed his first goal fir the senior national side two minutes later with a lovely left-footed strike into the top corner.
Bafana dominated possession thereafter hoping to bag a second goal and they should have been ahead ten minutes before the break when Themba Zwane teed up Teboho Mokoena, who sent his volley over the crossbar.
After being denied by the woodwork on a couple occasions, Broos' charges got the second goal on the stroke of halftime when Appollis calmly slotted from a tight angle after Lyle Foster was denied by the crossbar.
Sudan came out for the second half a little more solid defensively, which eventually led to the side equalising when Valentino Yuel poked the ball beyond Chaine after Bafana failed to clear their lines from a free-kick.
Hugo Broos responded with a triple change for the final 20 minutes as Mokweana, Thalente Mbatha and Relebohile Mofokeng Mofokeng replaced Morena, Appollis and Sphephelo Sithole as they went in search of a winning goal.
The change nearly paid off for the visiting side when Mokwena sent a fine pass over the top for Mokwana, who was denied by a fine save from Sudanese goalkeeper Majak Mawith.
Bafana were camped in the Sudan half and they were rewarded with a winning goal in the 94th minute as Mbatha made it two goals in two games with another sweet left-footed strike.
Here's how they line up:
South Africa: Chaine, Mudau, Ngezana, Dortley, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Appollis, Morena, Foster
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Basadien, Mbatha, Adams, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Rayners, Mokwana, Kekana, Sibisi
