South Africa claimed a 2-1 win over Eswatini in a Cosafa Cup clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Tuesday evening, thereby securing a place in the semifinals of the regional competition.
Bafana Bafana looked to be in trouble when Sihlangu Semnikati claimed the lead early in the second half via Bongwa Matsebula, but a late brace from substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa secured top spot in Group A with a haul of seven points.
The tournament hosts will go on to face the best runner-up in the second semifinal on Friday, likely to be Zambia (or potentially Mauritius or Lesotho, depending on Wednesday’s Group C results).
Clear chances were few and far between in the first 45 minutes, with both teams struggling to create penetrating attacks.
South Africa strung together some promising passing moves, but too often they broke down in the final third, with the host team’s best effort coming from a set piece late in the half, as Lyle Lakay sent a shot off target direct from a free kick.
For their part, Eswatini looked dangerous on transition, with Melulen Mkhonto proving a mobile spearhead, while Bongwa Matsebula had their best effort of the first half a few minutes before the break, firing narrowly off target when he latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area.
MABASA BRACE
Sihlangu started the second half strongly and deservedly claimed the lead in the 51st minute, with Matsebula ruthlessly capitalising on a defensive error from Keegan Allan, as he cracked home a left-footed volley via the underside of the crossbar.
Allan looked to immediately redeem himself and provided a great chance for Victor Letsoalo with a cushioned header, but the striker sliced his shot wide of the mark.
On 67 minutes Bafana Bafana were inches away from an equaliser, with Iqraam Rayners cutting inside a defender before stabbing a shot just wide of the target, and the home side followed that up with a triple change which saw Tebogo Tlolane, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Shaune Mogaila introduced.
And Mabasa soon had a major influence on the game, latching onto a loose ball just outside the ‘D’ of the box in the 77th minute and firing home a left-footed shot for 1-1 – though Eswatini goalkeeper Mathabela Sandanezwe should really have saved the effort.
South Africa looked the likelier scorers in what remained of the game and their endeavour was rewarded with another goal for Mabasa, who slid onto Rayners’s assist and steered a shot past the ‘keeper for 2-1 in the 88th minute.
Bafana Bafana saw out the rest of the match in comfort and advanced to the final four.
The other Group A match between Namibia and Botswana ended 0-0, meaning the Zebras finished second on four points (which is not enough to be the best runner-up), Eswatini were third with three points and the Brave Warriors rounded out the group with two points.
South Africa (0) 2 (Mabasa 77’ 88’)
Eswatini (0) 1 (Matsebula 51’)
South Africa:Barr, Sikhakhane, Allan, Mohamme, Lakay, Mthethwa, Human (Tlolane 68’), Cele (Mogaila 68’), Kapinga (Kobedi 90+2’), Rayners (Sebetlela 90+2’), Letsoalo (Mabasa 68’)
Eswatini: Sandanezwe, Msibi, Mamba, Silenge, Thwala, Ne. Dlamini (Mamba 88’), Mabelesa, Matse, P. Mkhonto (Ndzinisa 76’), Matsebula, M. Mkhonto