Bafana Bafana’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) faced a minor setback as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tanzania in an international friendly at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday night.
With several key players, particularly from Mamelodi Sundowns, absent due to club commitments, head coach Hugo Broos seized the opportunity to assess emerging talent. The starting lineup featured debutants Deano van Rooyen, Khulumani Ndamane, and Simphiwe Selepe, while Renaldo Leaner and Mohau Nkota made their first appearances off the bench.
Despite dominating possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities, Bafana Bafana struggled to convert their chances. Early in the match, Oswin Appollis had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line, and later, his shot was comfortably saved by Tanzanian goalkeeper Suleiman Ali. Ashley Cupido and Thalente Mbatha also combined well, but Mbatha’s shot sailed over the bar.
Tanzania, adopting a cautious approach, managed to frustrate the South African side with their physical play and disciplined defense. The visitors made an early substitution in the 27th minute, introducing Selemani Allie for Denis Prosper, aiming to bolster their midfield.
In the second half, Broos introduced several substitutes, including Relebohile Mofokeng, who nearly broke the deadlock with a lob that landed on the roof of the net. Despite these efforts, the match concluded without goals.
Post-match, Broos emphasized the importance of these friendlies for evaluating new players, stating that while the result was not paramount, the performance highlighted areas needing improvement ahead of their next fixture against Mozambique on Tuesday at the same venue.
Khulumani Ndamane’s impressive debut earned him the man-of-the-match accolade, signaling a promising addition to the national squad. As Bafana Bafana continue their AFCON preparations, the integration of fresh talent remains a focal point for the coaching staff.
The upcoming friendly against Mozambique presents another opportunity for Broos to fine-tune his squad and build cohesion among the players, ensuring readiness for the challenges ahead in the continental tournament.
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