South Africa salvage 2-2 draw against Uganda

by Staff Reporter

Friday Sep 06, 2024. 19:52

South Africa salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Group K rivals Uganda in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, played at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto 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 stanza via two stunning long-range goals.

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.

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 Lyle Foster, who opened the scoring with a somewhat scruffy finish which rebounded between the goalkeeper and him before rolling into the goal.

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.

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 Rogers Mato, who fired off a ludicrously ambitious effort from roughly 40 metres out, but goalkeeper Veli Mothwa (who should have made a comfortable save) allowed the ball to burst through his hands and find the net.

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 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