Mozambique hold Bafana Bafana in Cosafa Cup opener

South Africa got their Cosafa Cup campaign off to a slow start with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Bafana Bafana opened the scoring via Rushwin Dortley and led 1-0 at the break, but the Mambas hit back 20 minutes into the second half via Chamito Alfandega to secure a share of the spoils.

The result leaves SA and Mozambique level with Botswana and Eswatini (who drew 0-0 earlier in the day) in Group A – all on one point.

Bafana Bafana captain Rushwin Dortley wins the Player of the Match Award after scoring for his side and leading his charges in defence. @SouthernSunGrp, @SABC_Sport, @SuperSportTV, @SAFA_net#COSAFACup2024, #Hollywoodbets pic.twitter.com/kGqShUodTo

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) June 26, 2024

South Africa started strongly and were inches away from claiming the lead in the third minute – Devin Titus whipped in a fine cross from the right flank to pick out Asenele Velebayi at the back post, but the Cape Town Spurs player saw his header rebound off the woodwork.

The hosts went on to dominate possession, but found it difficult to create similar chances against a Mozambique defence which recovered its composure after the fraught early stages and sat very deep.

And the Mambas almost went ahead on 25 minutes against the run of play, as Dario Melo capitalised on a loose ball, spotted the SA goalkeeper off his line and sent a long-range effort on target – only for Mondli Mpoto to backtrack and make a good one-handed save.

Thabang Sibanyoni was a constant menace to the Mozambique defence and twice came close to scoring in the first half: he sent a glancing header from a corner kick just wide on 28 minutes, while six minutes later he sprung the offside trap but was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Acaio Muendane.

Yet the striker played a role in Bafana breaking the deadlock on 39 minutes: his cushioned header picked out Ethan Brooks, who in turn played an excellent pass to give captain Dortley an easy close-range finish for 1-0.

Half-Time Score:

🇿🇦 South Africa 1 🆚 0 Mozambique 🇲🇿
Rushwin Dortley 39'

The hosts lead at half-time courtesy of a Rushwin Dortley close range finish six minutes from the break.#COSAFACup2024 #Hollywoodbets @SABC_Sport @aQuelle pic.twitter.com/gnTmuweiA7

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) June 26, 2024

Mozambique made two changes at the start of the second half, swapping out Momed Ferreira and Joshua Nhantumbo in favour of Chamito Alfandega and Fernando Domingos.

They were much more progressive in their play and scored a deserved equaliser in the 65th minute via Alfandega, who let fly from long range and beat the right hand of Mpoto to make it 1-1.

South Africa looked to reassert control and sent on the likes of Jaedin Rhodes and Ashley Cupido in the final quarter hour to try and boost their attack, but no clear chances were created, leaving the game to finish at one goal apiece.

Full-Time Score:

🇿🇦 South Africa 1 🆚 1 Mozambique 🇲🇿
Rushwin Dortley 39’ | Chamito Alfandega 65’

Both teams left everything on the field in a thrilling game that ends 1-1.#COSAFACup2024 #Hollywoodbets @SABC_Sport @aQuelle pic.twitter.com/Fqrx4kudtm

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) June 26, 2024

The teams will return to Group A action on Saturday 29 June, with South Africa taking on Botswana and Mozambique facing Eswatini – both at the Wolfson Stadium.

South Africa (1) 1 (Dortley 39’)

Mozambique (0) 1 (Alfandega 65’)

South Africa: Mpoto, Brooks (Rhodes 76’), Dortley, Kwayiba, Matuludi, Modise, Moloisane, Poggenpoel (K. Cupido 58’), Sibanyoni (A. Cupido 76’), Titus (Moremi 65’), Velebayi (Mojela 65’)

Mozambique: Muendane, Dauce, Melo, Ferreira (Alfandega 46’), Lorenzoni (Muchanga 72’), Nhantumbo (Domingos 46’), Carrelo, Simbine, Nhambire, Pedro, Valipavale (Joao 81’)