Bafana Bafana picked up their first win at the COSAFA Cup, defeating Zimbabwe 2-0 in their second Group A clash on Saturday afternoon.
Coach Vela Khumalo made two changes to the South African side that lost to Mozambique, with Boitumelo Radiopane, Kwanda Mngonyama, and Masindi Nemtajela all earning starts.
Both Radiopane and Nemtajela had early chances to score, but the Zimbabwean goalkeeper denied them. Similar to their previous match, South Africa controlled possession but couldn't convert their clear-cut opportunities.
Their breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute when a foul on Nemtajela resulted in a penalty.
VAR GAVE BAFANA BAFANA BREAKTHROUGH
Following a VAR review, Kabelo Dlamini stepped up and confidently slotted home the penalty, putting Bafana Bafana ahead.
It was only thanks to Mapisa's timely saves that Zimbabwe didn't concede more goals in the first half.
Bafana's control persisted into the second period, but poor decision-making in front of goal let them down; Nemtajela, for instance, rushed a shot from a promising position ten minutes into the half.
Khumalo made a strategic double change at the 70-minute mark, substituting Dlamini and Siyanda Msani for Puso Dithejane and Letlapa.
The sustained pressure from Bafana finally broke through in the 77th minute when Ime Okon, a player attracting interest from Kaizer Chiefs, headed home their second goalpast Mapisa.
With this win, South Africa now sits in second place in Group A, a single point clear of Mauritius, who they will meet in their final group game on Tuesday.
