Bafana Bafana made it to back-to-back victories after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Botswana in a friendly international played at the FNB stadium on Tuesday.
Teboho Mokoena scored the only goal of the game, converting a free-kick in the first half as the hosts backed up their 4-0 thumping over Sierra Leone at the same venue on Saturday.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos made a raft changes to the line-up that started just three days ago with Pule Mmodi, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Siyanda Msani, Khanyisa Mayo Ashley du Preez and goalkeeper Veli Mothwa all coming into the starting XI.
As expected, the home side started slowly as the new-look outfit took time to gel and find connections on the pitch.
Mayo had the first goal-scoring opportunity in the game but blazed a free-kick over the cross-bar in the 22nd minute.
#BafanaBafana coach Hugo Broos reiterates that some of the PSL players are NOT good enough for international football. pic.twitter.com/jWmgkYlUyS
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Bafana did eventually take the lead seven minutes before the halftime break and it was from another set-piece as Mokoena curled and dipped an effort around the wall and found the back of the net.
The visitors saw more of the ball after the interval and threatened going forward but could not breakdown a resolute home defence marshalled by Rushine De Reuck.
While the Zebras failed to take advatage of some openings on attack, the hosts were always dangerous on transition and substitute Mihlali Mayambela had a golden opportunity to double the lead late in the game when he rounded the keeper but his effort hit the post.
⚽️ 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 ⚽️
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Teboho Mokoena got an opener for Bafana Bafana against The Zebras!
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Botswana launched one final attack deep into stoppage-time and were unfortunate not to equalise when Kabelo Seakanyeng struck a low volley that beat Mothwa but hit the woodwork.
Bafana held on for a narrow win that will please head coach Broos with the national side again meeting up for a camp in November while the FIFA World Cup will be played.
