Bafana Bafana and Ivory Coast played to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
International Friendly
Result: Ivory Coast 1-1 South Africa
Date: 17 October 2023
Venue: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny
Bafana made six changes to the side that drew with Eswatini, as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Sphephelo Sithole, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Lebogang Mothiba was all brought in.
Hugo Broos’ charges had a bright start as Themba Zwane gave them the lead within the first nine minutes with a looping shot in the six-yard box after a cut-back by Teboho Mokoena.
Ivory Coast looked dangerous on their attacks but only came close to equalising shortly before the half-hour mark after Sebastien Haller guided a powerful header in the box just over the crossbar.
Bafana nearly gifted the Elephants the equaliser shortly after that after a mistake in the box by Mvala, who was playing from the back but fortunately Haller’s lob over Williams came off the post.
The game was balanced in the latter phase of the first stanza, with Bafana combining well going forward and able to hold the ball for long periods and managed to head to the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.
South Africa had a quick and strong start in the second stanza as Mudau should have doubled their lead eight minutes later after going clear on goal from a counter-attack but fired his shot just wide, one-on-one with shot-stopper Yahia Fofana.
Jean-Louis Gasset’s troops started to pressurize Bafana and with 66 minutes on the clock, Haller finally levelled matters with a free header from a cross.
With Bafana still under pressure in the last 18 minutes, Broos made a tactical and defensive change, as he brought on Nyiko Mobbie in place of Mihlali Mayambela.
Ivory Coast continued to have the upper hand going forward and the Belgian had the fresh legs of Lyle Foster and Sibongiseni Mthethwa in the last ten minutes.
The hosts kept Bafana pinned back in and around their box, as they threatened for the winner but Broos’ men held on in the end, as the sides finished all square.
Here’s how they lined up:
Bafana Bafana: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Mayambela, Hlongwane, Mothiba
Subs: Goss, Mothwa, Mobbie, Sibisi, Blom, Mayo, Foster, Kekana, Mthethwa, Mdantsane, Mako
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