South Africa rose to the top of Group A in the Cosafa Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over 10-man Botswana at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Bafana Bafana found themselves a goal down just after the hour mark thanks to a fine strike from the Zebras’ Thatayaone Kgamanyane, but the game turned on an incident which saw Tebogo Kopelang sent off and allowed Iqraam Rayners to level from the penalty spot.
Shaune Mogaila quickly made it 2-1 and brought a victory which sees the tournament hosts rise to four points, while Botswana are second on three points. The group order could change again, depending on the outcome of the match between Namibia (one point) and Eswatini (zero) later on Saturday.
Full-Time Score:
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) July 8, 2023
????SOUTH AFRICA 2 ?? BOTSWANA 1????
Goal Scorers :
• Thatoyaone Kgamanyane ????
Jersey Number 10
•Mokete Mokgaila ????
Jersey Number 7
•Iqraam Rayners ????
Jersey Number 18
Player of the Match:Iqraam Rayner????@Hollywoodbets #COSAFACup2023 pic.twitter.com/Nsi5BIjmv8
South Africa found their attacking stride early and created a chance as soon as the fifth minute, with Katlego Mohamme heading off target from a free kick.
On 25 minutes the host team had a swift counter attack that ended with Iqraam Rayners cutting inside from the left and shooting for the bottom corner of the net, only for Botswana goalkeeper Lesenya Malapela to pull off an excellent one-handed save.
Malapela was guilty of a panicked moment late in the first half when he flapped at a back-header, under pressure from Rayners, and only succeeded in directing the ball toward Tshegofatso Mabasa, but the striker was unable to direct a shot into the unguarded net.
Rayners had two further chances – neither of which he capitalised on – before the halftime interval arrived with the teams still locked at 0-0.
RED CARD FOR BOTSWANA
Botswana had an early chance for Tlhalefang Molaodi, who forced an awkward save from South Africa goalkeeper Jethren Barr soon after the restart, before Bafana Bafana freshened up their attack with the introductions of Victor Letsoalo and Lesedi Kapinga just before the hour mark.
Momentum appeared to be on Bafana Bafana’s side, but the Zebras claimed the lead against the run of play in the 63rd minute. Olebogeng Ramotse played a great diagonal ball which caught the defence napping and allowed Thatayaone Kgamanyane to volley home for 1-0.
Yet Botswana’s lead was short lived: a defensive error between centre-back Tebogo Kopelang and his ‘keeper brought about a penalty and a red card – Kopelang was shown a straight red card for cynically pulling down Letsoalo when the striker had an open goal to drive towards. Rayners converted from the spot for 1-1 in the 66th minute.
And just a minute later the host team claimed the lead for the first time, with Shaune Mogaila latching onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and firing home a low shot to make it 2-1 midway through the second half.
With a quarter hour to play, Bafana should have added to their advantage when Kapinga raced free down the left of the box, but his shot was well saved by Malapela.
The teams traded chances in what remained of the game, but ultimately South Africa were able to hold onto their 2-1 lead and secured a crucial victory.
The teams will wrap up their Group A campaigns on Tuesday 11 July, with South Africa facing Eswatini at Princess Magogo Stadium, at the same time that Botswana and Namibia meet at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
South Africa (0) 2 (Rayners 66’ pen, Mogaila 67’)
Botswana (0) 1 (Kgamanyane 63’)
SA: Barr, Sikhakhane, Makume, Mohamme, Mogaila, Mthethwa, Human (Sebetlela 84’), Lakay, Cele (Kapinga 59’), Rayners (May 90+1’), Mabasa (Letsoalo 59’)
Botswana: Malapela, Velaphi, Kopelang, Legopelo, Mangolo, Ditsele (Babutsi 70’), Modingwane, Mabaya (Ramotse 61’), Kgamanyane, Skweyiya (Sekwai 61’), Molaodi (Enosa 61’)