Bafana, Ivory Coast settle for a draw: What are the talking points?
Bafana Bafana played out to a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast in their international friendly clash at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium on Tuesday night.
Not many people anticipated South Africa to come out alive against the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] hosts on their own turf.
This friendly showdown is part of Bafana’s preparations for the 2023 AFCON tournament and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to commence in November 2023.
Below are the five talking points from this mouthwatering encounter.
BAFANA MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN
South Africa are now unbeaten in 11 games in a row under the guidance of the Belgian mentor Hugo Broos.
The last time Brooos’ charges succumbed to a defeat was against Morocco in Rabat in June 2022 [15 months ago].
THEMBA ZWANE SCORES HIS 7TH GOAL FOR BAFANA
Themba Zwane is one player who needs no introduction to SA the football fraternity. The talented winger scored his seventh international goal in the eighth minute of the contest.
Interestingly, Bafana legend Jerry Skhosana found the back of the net at this venue 28 years ago.
And today, his homeboy, Zwane, replicated what he did at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny years back.
STADE FELIX HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY IN FULL SWING
With Bafana having played their last matches in front of a small crowd, today it was a different feeling for Broos’ boys.
The fans’ turnout wasn’t a worrying factor as Ivorian football fanatics came out in numbers to enjoy the beautiful game.
IVORY COAST GOOD TEST FOR BAFANA
Playing friendly matches against nations like Ivory Coast benefits South Africa in determining how far they are in terms of their preparations for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
Bafana were really tested as the West African nation has a core group of quality players. Players who have what it takes to win games as most of them ply their trades in Europe.
ARE BAFANA HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
Having played a draw with Ivory Coast, many people are asking themselves if South Africa will be able to make it at the 2023 AFCON tournament as they failed to send a strong message to their continental opponents.
Broos’ troops are pitted in Group E alongside Tunisia, Mali and neighbours Namibia.
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