Bafana Bafana missed an opportunity to seal qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw away to Congo on Tuesday.
South Africa were made to work hard for the point at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat Stadium in Brazzaville as their hosts gave as much as they received while Hugo Broos’ men also struggled on the artificial turf.
Elias Mokwana gave South Africa the lead after 32 minutes but the Congolese would equalise on the stroke of halftime with both sides staying resolute after the break for a share of the spoils.
Bafana Bafana were not as sleek as on Friday when they won 5-0, starting slowly, and there was a moment of scare when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was nearly robbed of the ball as he attempted to play out from the back in the 21st minute.
Four minutes later, South Africa should have been ahead when Teboho Mokoena saw his good attempt just roll past the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
How were South Africa pegged back?
At this point, South Africa were enjoying a good run especially on the wings with Oswin Appollis and Khuliso Mudau constantly making runs in the Congo box.
Mokwana then showed good composure to receive the ball under the challenge of two Congo defenders whom he beat for pace before hitting the ball directly at the goalkeeper. The ball fell back to him and he scored from a rebound to break the deadlock.
South Africa’s celebrations were soured seven minutes later when Themba Zwane went down holding what appeared to be his Achilles and the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was stretchered off to be replaced by Orlando Pirates man Patrick Maswanganyi.
Shortly after, Congo thought they had pulled one back when Mons Bassouamina slammed the ball past Williams on the volley but he was flagged offside.
The striker was not to be denied in time added on in the first half, however. Almost identical to the goal that South Africa scored, Bassouamina received a through ball and shrugged off Grant Kekana and Rushwin Dortley to slot the ball past Williams for a deserved equaliser.
Bafana Bafana must now get at least one win
After the break, Congo started brightly and almost went ahead six minutes later with a header that hit the post following a well-taken corner kick.
From then on, both teams stayed tight at the back with South Africa finding it hard to penetrate the Congo defence to end the game 1-1.
It is a missed opportunity for Broos’ men as they would have sealed qualification with victory and the draw leaves them second in Group K on eight points, two behind Uganda, who are all but qualified following their 2-1 win over South Sudan, earlier on Tuesday.
Congo, meanwhile, have four points and will hope to win their remaining games against Uganda and South Sudan while hoping South Africa stumble to sneak through.
Bafana Bafana must now secure at least one win from their remaining matches against Uganda away and South Sudan at home in November to make it to the AFCON for a second straight time.
