South Africa and Congo Brazzaville played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday afternoon.
Africa U-23 Cup of Nations Qualifier
Result: South Africa 1-1 Congo
Date: 23 March 2023
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
The young Bafana had a number of players featuring in the PSL, including Samkelo Zwane, Jayden Adams and Thapelo Maseko in the line-up, while fan favourites Mduduzi Shabalala and Boitumelo Radiopane started from the bench.
The game open in the early stages but the hosts quickly gained the upper hand as Maseko had a chance to grab the lead after he got a low cross unmarked at the back post but he guided a first-time shot just wide.
David Notoane's charges remained on the front foot and with 15 minutes on the clock, Devon Titus also fancied his chance with a volley free in the box that was parried away by the Congo goalkeeper.
Congo were looking for space behind the South Africa defence and they broke away just before the half-hour mark but shot-stopper Lincoln Vyver made a one-on-one save in the box.
The young Bafana were forced to drop deep in the latter phase of the first stanza and Congo eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time as one of their strikers leaped high and powered a downward header from a cross and got his side an away goal.
The central African outfit frustrated the young Bafana by sitting deep early in the second stanza and they had a big chance on a counter-attack on the hour-mark after their striker forced his way through on goal and looped a volley over Vyver, who was off his area, but fortunately for the hosts his effort bounced over the crossbar.
Notoane reacted immediately with a double change, as Radiopane replaced his club teammate Ashley Cupido upfront and Shabalala came on for Ethan Brooks, in a tactical switch.
The changes made an instant impact, as Maseko eventually levelled matters with a low finish at the back post after a perfect cross by Shabalala.
South Africa looked to get the winner in the closing stages and although they found openings they were let down by the final pass.
Congo, on the other hand, were happy to sit back and held on to a 1-1 draw and a crucial away goal to take to the second leg.
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