South Africa’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification campaign got off to a rocky start with a 2-2 home draw against Group K rivals Uganda at the Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.
Bafana Bafana completely dominated the first half and opened the scoring via Lyle Foster, but a failure to convert several other scoring chances cost them dearly, with the Cranes roaring back in the second half via two stunning long-range goals – one of which left stand-in goalkeeper Veli Mothwa (playing due to injury to captain Ronwen Williams) with egg on his face.
The hosts looked to be on course for a defeat, but substitute Thalente Mbatha struck a debut goal five minutes into injury time to salvage a draw.
🚩FT: South Africa 2-2 Uganda
— Kirabo Links (@kirabolinks) September 6, 2024
⚽️ Lyle Foster (South Africa)
⚽️ Denis Omedi (Uganda)
⚽️ Rogers Mato (Uganda)
⚽️ Thalente Mbatha (South Africa)
Rogers Mato with a Puskas Award contender #Football | #kirabolinks | #GiftedEra | #MLF | #AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/8bDqKCFN2j
South Africa mounted several promising attacks in the early minutes, with Oswin Appollis twice drawing saves from Uganda goalkeeper Ismail Watenga.
And the hosts capitalised on their pressure in the 14th minute when Khuliso Mudau’s stabbed through ball set up Foster, who opened the scoring with a somewhat scruffy finish which rebounded between the goalkeeper and him before rolling into the goal.
Lyle Foster has scored for Bafana Bafana tonight! #twitterclarets pic.twitter.com/TpOszl0dN6
— TurfCast - Burnley FC Fan Channel (@TurfCastPodcast) September 6, 2024
Bafana Bafana had several chances to add to their advantage in the first half via Appollis, Elias Mokwana and Foster, but they were all unable to capitalise, leaving the score 1-0 in favour of the hosts at the interval.
Just before the break, South Africa fullback Mudau was perhaps lucky not to be sent off for a physical altercation with Rogers Mato – though the Ugandan certainly made the most of a push from the defender.
The Cranes made a change at the start of the second half, replacing Travis Mutyaba with Allan Okello in midfield, and they were much improved, drawing level at 1-1 via a superb long-range strike from Denis Omedi in the 51st minute.
And just two minutes later they claimed the lead via Mato, who fired off a ludicrously ambitious effort from roughly 40 metres out, but goalkeeper Mothwa (who should have made a comfortable save) allowed the ball to burst through his hands and find the net.
South Africa responded by sending on Iqraam Rayners and Thapelo Morena just past the hour mark, but the fluidity and cohesion of the hosts’ first-half play was glaringly absent.
In fact, the closest they came to an equaliser in regulation time was a shot direct from a free kick by Teboho Mokoena, who sent his effort just wide of Watenga’s left-hand post with 10 minutes remaining.
An opening defeat seemed inevitable for Bafana, but Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha, making his senior debut at his home ground, latched onto a loose ball in the fifth minute of injury time and struck a low drive into the back of the net via the inside of the post for 2-2.
South Africa with an excellent equalizer by Thalente Mbatha. Good come back https://t.co/DIP6fJGLlN pic.twitter.com/UhDEOZ1rxw
— Olatunji_ (@Olatunji_3030) September 6, 2024
South Africa will return to Group K action on Tuesday 10 September with a clash away to South Sudan in Juba, while Uganda will host Congo in Kampala the day prior.
South Africa (1) 2 (Foster 14’, Mbatha 90+5’)
Uganda (0) 2 (Omedi 51’, Mato 53’)
SA: Mothwa, Mudau, Ngezana, Dortley, Modiba, Sithole (Mbatha 81’), Mokoena, Zwane (Mofokeng 74’), Mokwana (Morena 62’), Appollis (Rayners 62’), Foster
UGANDA: Watenga, Bwomono, Mugabi, Capradossi, Kayondo, Ssekiganda, Aucho, Mutyaba (Okello 46’), Mukwala (Joackim 72’), Mato (Ochaya 82’), Omedi