South Africa were left disappointed but not defeated after being held to a dramatic goalless draw by Niger in their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group C encounter at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday night.
Despite dominating possession and dictating the tempo for long stretches of the match, Bafana Bafana were repeatedly denied – both by VAR and by a gallant Niger defence – in a contest that now sets up a tense finale to the group stages.
VAR Calls Stir Controversy
The key talking points arrived in the first half when South Africa saw two penalty decisions overturned after lengthy VAR reviews.
In the 18th minute, referee Bouchra Karboubi initially pointed to the spot for a handball, only to reverse her decision after consulting the pitch-side monitor.
On the stroke of half-time, another strong appeal was dismissed following another review, leaving the South African players and supporters visibly frustrated.
Dominance Without Reward
Statistically, Ntseki’s men were superior – enjoying 62% of the possession, completing more than 430 passes, and producing five efforts on target compared to just two from Niger.
Yet, for all their control, South Africa struggled to convert their territorial dominance into clear-cut chances, often finding themselves stifled by the disciplined defending of Harouna Doula’s side.
Ntseki introduced fresh attacking options in the second half in search of a breakthrough, but although South Africa continued to probe, the decisive final touch proved elusive.
Niger Show Defensive Resolve
For Niger, the draw ended a run of two successive defeats and earned them a first point of the tournament. Teenage midfielder Abdeljelil Ahamat again impressed, injecting creativity and work-rate in a disciplined display that gave his side crucial respite.
While already eliminated from quarter-final contention, Niger played with pride and purpose, frustrating South Africa with a compact block and intelligent counter-attacking spells.
Group C Wide Open
The result leaves the group finely poised:
- Uganda remain top on six points (having sat out Friday’s fixtures),
- Algeria and South Africa are level on five points – with Algeria ahead on goal difference
- Niger, though bottom, still retain a slim mathematical hope.
It means the final round on Monday, 18 August 2025 provides a compelling double-header:
It means the final round on Monday, 18 August 2025 provides a compelling double-header:
- South Africa vs Uganda – a must-win for Bafana Bafana
- Algeria vs Niger – where Algeria need only a point to secure progression
Onwards to a Decisive Final Test
Speaking after the match, coach Molefi Ntseki remained calm and defiant: “I think that South Africa did their best in trying to win this game. But it was not meant to be, and we move forward.”
Captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele echoed the sentiment, stating that the draw “keeps our hopes intact” but emphasised the need for greater clinical precision in the final third.
With three sides still vying for two quarter-final places, South Africa now face an all-or-nothing clash with the hosts. The stakes could not be higher – and Ntseki’s men will know there is no room left for missed opportunities.
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