Talking points as Bafana and Algeria share spoils in FIFA Series

Bafana Bafana and Algeria played out to a 3-3 draw in the FIFA Series international friendly at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Wednesday morning.

Below are some of the talking points from this entertaining friendly match between Hugo Broos’ charges and the North African side.

YASSINE BENZIA AND THEMBA ZWANE SCORE BRACE

Themba Zwane showed that experience cannot be bought as he scored a brace in this match.

However, the hosts, Algeria, were the first to break the deadlock through Yassine Benzia in the 22nd minute of the showdown.

Nonetheless, Algeria’s joy was short-lived when Zwane scored an equaliser in the 34th minute.

‘Mshishi’, as he’s popularly known within the football circles, completed his brace before the half-time break.

In the second half, Algeria leveled matters with a goal from Yacine Brahimi.

Iqraam Rayners added to the scoreline in the 66th minute, but Algeria came back to equalise again three minutes after the restart by Benzia who scored a brace too.

THE REASON WHY WE HAVE NELSON MANDELA STADIUM IN ALGERIA

The stadium is named after the late former South African president Nelson Mandela, as he maintained close ties with Algeria.

Mandela, who passed away in 2013, travelled to the North African nation in 1961 to train in the armed forces of the National Liberation Front.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Algeria and the South African men’s national team have faced each other in four matches.

From those four games, Both sides won one game each and drew three matches in the process.

BAFANA BAFANA COMING BACK HOME

Broos’ boys will return home on today, 27 March 2024. 

This was the first time that Broos reunites with the team since guiding Bafana to a third-place finish to win a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON tournament held in Ivory Coast last month.

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