Bafana Bafana begin FIFA Series with stalemate against Andorra
Bafana Bafana began their FIFA Series international friendlies pilot project with a 1-1 draw against Andorra under the lights of the 19 May 1956 Stadium on Friday early morning.
Elias Mokwana rattled the back of the net in his full debut while Fernandez Betaiv Ricardo was on the score-sheet for Andorra.
Hugo Broos’ line-up consisted of six players who were not part of the Africa Cup of Nations squad in Ivory Coast – Thapelo Xoki, Goodman Mosele, Patrick Maswanganyi, Elias Mokwana, Mlondi Mbanjwa and Khanyisa Mayo.
The first big goal-scoring chance fell into Bafana’s hands as Sekhukhune United’s Mokwana set up Mbanjwa in the box. However, the Usuthu forward couldn’t get to the ball.
AN EARLY OPENING GOAL FROM ANDORRA
In the 7th minute, a dreadful goalkeeping error from Ricardo Goss led to an opening goal by Andorra’s Fernandez Betaiv Ricardo.
After that, Bafana made a couple of forward movements looking for an early come-back with Mokwana, Mbanjwa and Mayo leading the attack.
In the 16th minute, Andorra’s goalie Gomes Noreira Josep Antoni made a terrific save, stopping Thapelo Morena’s vicious strike from outside the box.
Bafana seemed to be getting into a passing rhythm, exerting pressure on the opponents. Broos’ men created a couple of opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the net.
MOKWANA FOUND THE BACK OF THE NET ON DEBUT
One of SA’s debutants, Mokwana levelled matters in the 24th minute, smashing the ball into the top corner after receiving a pass from Monare.
Moments later, the 1996 champions lowered their gears somewhat having found the leveller.
The two sides went into the break with a 1-1 score-line on the board.
Broos made his first change after the interval, bringing on Grant Margeman and taking off the captain of the day Thabang Monare.
There was no change in Andorra’s approach to the game as they came back still playing defensively, preventing Bafana from getting a second goal.
In the 58th minute, Terrence Mashego had a chance to put his side ahead when he came across Maswanganyi’s cross. However, the Sundowns left-back skied the ball over the bar.
Broos made more changes, taking out Mashego and Morena, and introducing Aubrey Modiba and Nyiko Mobbie.
South Africa kept on moving the ball around while struggling to find a breakthrough with the opponents sitting back.
Ten minutes before the end of the regulation time, Iqraam Rayners came on for Mayo as Bafana continued to seek a winning goal. The AFCON 3rd-place winners threw everything in the final ten minutes but Andorra remained solid.
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