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Two former Mamelodi Sundowns players were on the score sheet when Ntseki’s team got back on the winning track after suffering a loss to Zambia last month.
South Africa broke into a sweat for their 2-0 win over São Tomé and Príncipe in a qualifier for the 2022 African Cup of Nations at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
Percy Tau broke the deadlock just minutes after the restart after a mediocre first half by Molefi Ntseki, and second-half substitute Bongani Zungu sealed the win with a late goal.
Bafana Bafana were looking to record their second consecutive win in their qualifying campaign after defeating Sudan 1-0 in their last Group C match in November 2019.
Coach Molefi Ntseki took an offensive approach by naming attackers Lebogang Manyama, Themba Zwane, Keagan Dolly and Percy Tau in the starting lineup.
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Meanwhile, Team Falcons and True Parrots were hoping to record their first Group C win after succumbing to a 1-0 loss to Ghana in November 2019.
Ntseki’s counterpart Adriano Eusebio named two full forwards in Harramiz Soares and Luis Leal in the starting lineup as the island nation sought to secure a famous victory over the 1996 African champions.
South Africa dominated the match from the start and their best chances went to Manyama, who found himself in good positions within the São Tomé area.
However, the Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain placed two header over the bar from close range as the home team sought the opening goal.
The visitors had a rare opportunity after a quick play after Bafana lost everything in midfield, but Soares hit the wing without disturbing Ronwen Williams in South Africa’s goal.
Although the Bafana were controlling the game, they were indecisive in front of goal as they made too many touches that allowed the Falcons and True Parrots Team to recover and clear their lines.
Santo Tomé goalkeeper Aldair D’Almeida spilled the ball into the path of Tau, who tried to place Manyama, but the ball was intercepted and the visitors survived a scare.
The score was 0-0 at interval after a first half in which South Africa dominated possession without seriously testing D’Almeida on the São Tomé goal.
South Africa picked up the pace after the restart and were awarded a penalty after the hosts’ livewire Tau was fouled inside the box and the referee aimed directly at the penalty spot.
The Anderlecht forward then dusted off and clinically converted the penalty to make South Africa 1-0 in the 10th minute of the second half.
Ntseki then replaced Kamohelo Mokotjo with Bongani Zungu, who can score goals from midfield after being Bafana’s top scorer in the 2019 Afcon final in Egypt with two goals.
The Scotland-based midfielder made an impact on the game by pulling the strings in midfield, blending well with his teammates with the hosts looking to double his lead.
Bafana scored the goal they had been looking for in the 90th minute when Zungu headed in a Dolly corner kick to seal South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Sao Tome that night.
Despite the victory, South Africa remained second in the Group C standings, but are now three points behind leaders Ghana, while São Tomé remained fourth without a single point.
The two teams will meet again on Monday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where São Tomé will officially be the home team.
