South Africa played out another draw at the 2024 Cosafa Cup after they were held 0-0 by Botswana at the Wolfson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After being held 1-1 by Mozambique in their opener three days ago, Bafana Bafana would have been hoping to register a first win and take charge of Group A, but they found the Zebras a resilient and determined opponent.
Combined with a 0-0 draw between Eswatini and Mozambique earlier in the day, this result leaves all four teams in Group A level on two points.
South Africa dominated possession from early on, but Botswana had the first notable effort at goal, with Olebogeng Ramotse’s strike from a free kick flashing just over the crossbar in the 10th minute.
The match is electrifying with the score still locked at 0-0 between South Africa and Botswana.#GqeberhaDestinationOfChoice #ShareTheBay#LeaveNoOneBehind#BuildingTheEasternCapeWeWant pic.twitter.com/kvrVJdA5zz
— Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (@NMandelaBaymuni) June 29, 2024
Midway through the first half, the hosts tested Botswana’s Victor James with an effort direct from a free kick by Malebogo Modise, but the goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
Bafana Bafana went on to enjoy further threatening attacks, especially down the flanks, but too often their final pass or cross lacked the quality to penetrate the Zebras’ defence, leaving the game 0-0 at the halftime break.
The start of the second stanza brought a change in attack for SA, with Devin Titus making way for Mfundo Thikazi on the right wing, yet it was Botswana who soon looked the more dangerous team.
Just after the hour mark, substitute Gape Thibedi drove a shot wide from a loose ball on the edge of the box, and seconds later Botswana opened their opponent’s defence to put Tlamelo Kolagano through on goal, but he was denied by a smothering save from Mondli Mpoto.
Bafana’s most threatening moment of the second half arrived in the 86th minute when Asenele Velebayi whipped in a fine cross from the left to try and pick out Thabang Sibanyoni, with the ball causing panic in the Botswana defence and skewing off a defender to travel just wide of the target.
The teams will conclude their Group A campaigns on the afternoon of Tuesday 2 July, with Botswana facing Mozambique at the Wolfson Stadium, while South Africa will tackle Eswatini at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
South Africa 0
Botswana 0
SA: Mpoto, Titus (Thikazi 46’), Modise, Moloisane (Mcaba 87’), Sibanyoni (A. Cupido 87’), Bern, Matuludi, Kwayiba (Rhodes 64’), Brooks (Van Wyk 58’), Dortley, Velebayi
Botswana: James, Sakana, Babutsi, Ratlhogo, Sekwai (Thibedi 55’), Ramotse, Tlhalefang (Bante 90+4’), Kolagano, Lesego, Kopelang, Mbakile (Skweyiya 62’)