Bafana Bafana were held to a 0-0 draw against Seychelles during Tuesday’s AFCON qualifying Group E clash at Stade Linite in Victoria.
Bafana seemed to struggled to create a tempo and an efficient passing game on a difficult artificial turf in the venue. The visitors did force a corner in the opening exchanges, but Lebohang Maboe hit a poor delivery.
It was the hosts who came close to threatening inside the opening 20 minutes as Nigel Nigel fired wide. Midway through the first stanza, Dean Furman nearly sent Percy Tau through though goalkeeper Jerome Dingwall cleared the danger.
Dino Ndlovu came close to scoring but saw his left-footed strike deflected wide for a corner. Full-back Sifiso Hlanti had a chance from a set-piece but sent his effort over the bar.
The Pirates were showing rare forward forays and Itumeleng Khune had to be sharp to gather a cross at his near post on the second attempt.
In the second stanza, coach Stuart Baxter’s men were frustrated as striker Mothiba hit the woodwork from Ndlovu’s cross from the left.
Percy Tau did hit the back of the net in the 55th minute but it was ruled out for offside. Aubrey Modiba then wasted a golden chance after being fed through on goal, but he was denied by Dingwall.
The away side almost conceded when Khune rushed from his area to confront Perry Monnaie, but Baxter’s side were fortunate as the effort went wide.
In the closing stages Tau and Modiba had opportunities but it was not to be as it ended 0-0 on the day.
Match summary
- Seychelles 0 Bafana Bafana 0
- Ndlovu goes close
- Khune produces save
- Mothiba hits woodwork
- Monnaie misses chance
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