Thalente Mbatha salvaged a dramatic draw for Bafana Bafana by scoring a stoppage-time equaliser on debut against Uganda in a 2025 AFCON qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Friday.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster gave Bafana Bafana the perfect start by scoring the opener in the 14th minute.
Bafana looked to get their Group K qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to a winning start as they went into the break holding the lead.
Hugo Broos’ side dominated large parts of the first half and looked comfortable in front of a 15 000 crowd at Orlando Stadium.
The match though was turned on its head in a crazy opening ten minutes following the break as Uganda levelled in the 51st minute through striker Denis Omedi.
Before fellow attacker Rogers Mato stunned the home crowd by giving the away side a shock lead just two minutes later.
The Ugandans looked to frustrate Bafana for the remainder of the encounter by slowing down the match as the home side never looked like scoring.
Broos introduced Orlando Pirates attacker Relebohile Mofokeng for skipper Themba Zwane with the 19-year-old providing some dazzling flashes of brilliance.
Thalente Mbatha was introduced shortly after in the 81st minute and saved Bafana’s blushes by scoring a vicious left-footed shot off the bottom of the post into the left corner in front of a delighted crowd that included Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie.
Bafana next face an away trip to South Sudan on Tuesday, 10 September.
Wow!!! Such drama!!! pic.twitter.com/bfUdrlXgiX
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 6, 2024
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