9 September 2015
Bafana Bafana beat Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, played at Orlando Stadium in Soweto last night. Mpho Makola, in his debut for the national side, scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute.
Coach Shakes Mashaba, who made seven changes to the team following the game lost to Mauritania in an Afcon qualifier on 5 September, will be well pleased with how the players acquitted themselves against a side that had not lost a match since the African Cup of Nations earlier in the year.
Bafana produced some excellent football throughout the first half, with Sibusiso Vilakazi and Thamsanqa Gabuza linking up extremely well.
The first half ended 0-0.
South Africa started the second half much like they had finished the first, pressing for a goal but again wasted numerous scoring opportunities.
A breakthrough came in the 78th minute, when Makola received the ball outside the area and unleashed a beautiful right-footed curler into the top-right corner.
Senegal had chances to equalise, but a combination of poor shooting and some great work by Itumeleng Khune ensured that the Bafana captain secured the 31st clean sheet of his international career.
Although only a friendly, a victory against such quality opposition will surely allow Mashaba to breathe a sigh of relief.
Source: News24Wire
