November 12, (THEWILL) – With a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe on Thursday night, Bafana Bafana went three points clear at the top of their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying group.
Bafana Bafana made three changes from the win over Ethiopia, with Keagan Dolly and Percy Tau forming a partnership in attack, alongside Thibang Phete, a midfielder based in Portugal.
In the first half, the hosts seemed comfortable, but the Warriors got the first chance in the 15th minute when Ishmael Wadi intercepted a cross-field pass and raced through on goal inside the box, but his drive went wide.
Hugo Broos’ side, on the other hand, grabbed control and broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark, with Teboho Mokoena heading home a Dolly cross.
As the first half progressed, Norman Mapeza’s men may have been able to close down Bafana Bafana, but they were unable to worry Ronwen Williams, who had a quiet first 45 minutes.
After the break, Zimbabwe threatened again once more but Bafana swiftly reclaimed control, with Dolly coming close to doubling the advantage for the hosts with a looping strike that goalkeeper Petros Mhari parried over the bar just after the hour mark.
After a knock down by Dolly inside the box, Bongokuhle Hlongwane had a chance to extend Bafana’s advantage 17 minutes before the end of the game, but he blasted his half-volley over the bar.
Broos made a tactical change in the final ten minutes, replacing Tau with Ethan Brooks allowing Bafana Bafana to continue threatening to put the game to bed in the dying minutes, with Hlongwane coming close with a strike of his own that Mhari pushed over the bar.
Mokoena’s first-half goal was enough in the end, as South Africa held on to take a three-point lead over the rest of the group.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
