Themba Zwane netted twice as Bafana Bafana and Algeria played to an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Stade de Nelson Mandela on Tuesday night.
International Friendly
Result: Algeria 3-3 South Africa
Date: 26 March 2024
Venue: Stade de Nelson Mandela
Bafana made wholesale changes to the side that drew with Andorra, as only Thabang Monare remained from the line-up, as Mihlali Mayambela, Iqraam Rayners and Oswin Appollis got starts.
The Desert Foxes had warning shots on counter-attacks in the opening exchanges before Bafana eventually settled the quickest in the game.
Themba Zwane had a chance to give Hugo Broos' charges the lead on 11 minutes after a cut-back by Mayambela but his first-time shot was smothered by goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba.
Yassine Benzia eventually broke the deadlock for Algeria midway into the first stanza with a strike into the bottom corner following a quick counter-attack.
However, Zwane eventually snatched the equaliser for Hugo Broos' men ten minutes before the interval with a strike in the box after he received a pass from Mayambela.
South Africa gained confidence and Zwane gave them a 2-1 lead and grabbed his brace on the stroke of half-time with a strike into the top corner after he was teed up by Monare.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic responded with a double change at the start of the second half, with Ahmed Kendouci and Ramiz Zerrouki coming on for the second period.
The North Africans only needed eight minutes to get back on level terms in the second half through Yacine Brahimi, who slotted home from close range after Williams had given possession away just outside of his box.
It was Broos' turnn to introduce a couple changes by throwing on Elias Mokwana and Grant Margeman for Thabang Monare and Oswin Appollis.
The changes paid dividends as Mokwana made it two goals in two games with neat finish at the near post to restore Bafana's lead just after the hour mark.
However, the South Africans could not hold on to the lead for too long as Algeria pulled level once again four minutes via a superb acrobatic effort from Yassine Benzia.
Here's how they lined up:
Algeria: Zeghba, Mandi, Madani, Guitoun, Ait Nouri, Aouar, Bentelab, Benzia, Amoura, Brahimi, Bounedjah
Subs:Hadjam, Benbot, Chaibi, Tougai, Zerrouki, Hadjmoussa, Atal, Kendouci, Bakrar, Mandrea, Benrahama, Belaid
South Africa: Williams, Kekana, Xulu, Mobbie, Modiba, Monare, Mokokena, Zwane, Mayambela, Appollis, Rayners
Subs: Bvuma, Goss, Mashego, Maswanganyi, Mayo, Margeman, Xoki, Mosele, Mokwana, Sibisi, Mbanjwa, Morena
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