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Kermit Erasmus, Thabo Nodada and Luther Singh (Gallo Images)
Bafana Bafana were taken to a 1-1 draw against a brave Namibia in Rustenburg at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Thursday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED | BAFANA BAFANA 1-1 NAMIBIA
It was South Africa’s first outing in nearly a year, as they last played in November 2019 against Sudan in a qualifier for the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The senior men’s national team was scheduled for a camp in late March during FIFA’s international recess, but the Covid-19 pandemic halted those plans.
And now, more than six months later, the Bafana Bafana took the field for the first time in 11 months as they prepare for two AFCON qualifiers against São Tomé in November.
South Africa started the match on the players’ nerves when Namibia threatened from the start.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ new forward and Namibia captain Peter Shalulile kept the pace and movement of the Bafana defense on their toes, but there was no real goal threat to worry goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
However, as the match progressed, Molefi Ntseki’s charges began to show more composure on the ball as they settled down.
Luther Singh was the first to make the South African engine purr with its rhythm on the left flank as he attacked Kermit Erasmus, who saw his shot deflected into the corner.
Moments later, the two would combine again to give Bafana Bafana a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.
Keagan Dolly pounced on a sleeping Namibian defense and stole the ball, with the Montpellier winger playing on Erasmus.
Erasmus then found Singh and the 23-year-old made no mistake scoring up close.
South Africa was in cruise control for the remainder of the first half, but Shalulile was a constant threat.
The 25-year-old moved into space when Namibia unleashed a counterattack, however the forward failed to force a save from Williams as his shot went wide.
Bafana then had a chance to go up two goals after the sweet exchange of Thabo Nodada and Dolly saw the final pass to Singh overtaken.
But the second half would see the Brave Warriors attack within the first 10 minutes of the restart after Ntseki featured Gladwin Shitolo and Lyle Forster for Mothibi Mvala and Erasmus.
South Africa’s defensive lapse saw Absalom Iimbondi hit the ball past his man and hit a low shot through Williams’ legs.
Ntseki didn’t wait long after Namibia leveled things out when he introduced Motjeka Madisha, Teboho Mokoena, Sifiso Hlanti and Ricardo Goss for Musa Lebusa, Siyethemba Sithebe, Phete Thibang and Williams.
Goss would jump in right away as he made an excellent save off a shot from Namibia’s Joslin Kamatuka.
Try as they might, South Africa struggled to threaten Namibia’s goal again and the match ended in a draw.
Bafana Bafana returns to action on Sunday against 2012 AFCON champion Zambia at the same venue.
The start is scheduled for 15:00.
