Bafana Bafana set the tone for their upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Zambia in an international friendly held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The game not only showcased South Africa’s potential but also highlighted their resounding display of skill and determination. It also served as a crucial warm-up for both teams ahead of their participation in the tournament set to kick off next month in Morocco.
Bafana Bafana, currently ranked 87th globally, asserted themselves from the very first whistle against 59th-ranked Zambia, who are the 2012 African champions.
With a notable possession advantage (67%) in the opening 30 minutes, Bafana made an early impression that they were prepared to dominate the encounter with attacking play. During this time, they managed four final-third entries but struggled to convert them into scoring opportunities.
The Zambian defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata, stood resilient, thwarting any attempts by the home side to leave their mark. Nsabata, a player in the Premier Soccer League for Sekhukhune United, made two crucial saves, showcasing his skill without straining himself.
While South Africa enjoyed their offensive forays, Zambia was relegated to a primarily defensive role, appearing to employ a strategy focused on absorbing pressure and staging quick counterattacks whenever possible. Their lack of possession compelled them to rely on deep-lying options to create chances.
This approach resulted in minimal threats to the South African goal, and by the time the half ended, they failed to manage a shot on goal.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was celebrating his 50th cap, showed some clever touches in the build-up of attacks, and a feed from deep very nearly produced a goal. There were several instances of deft off-the-ball play by Bafana Bafana, who were punching holes in Chipolopolo’s defence.
This ploy led to the opening goal just before halftime, when midfielder ‘Yaya’ Sithole bisected the opposition defence, and livewire Oswin Appollis ran in to capitalise on the defence-splitting pass.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos made three changes at the start of the second half, Appollis, Mokoena, and captain Ronwen Williams making way for goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, Mohau Nkota and Thalente Mbatha. Later, Broos made another change, with Khulumani Ndamane replacing Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
In early second-half play, Zambia’s 4-1-4-1 formation seemed far more effective, as they surprised Bafana Bafana with three entries into the penalty area in the opening nine minutes.
Once Bafana Bafana, with its 4-2-3-1 playing pattern, absorbed that pressure, Zambia was rudely surprised with a tearaway break down the right flank after Sipho Mbule hoofed the ball upfield. Substitute Nkota latched on to the ball superbly before unleashing a scoring shot from the edge of the box on the hour mark.
The crowd was hardly back in their seats when Sithole scored a gift goal as he was unchallenged when rising to meet a corner moments later to give Bafana Bafana a commanding 3-0 lead.
Zambia scored a consolation goal through Joseph Sabobo in injury time.
