Bafana Bafana have made it to the final round of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) qualifiers after beating Egypt 4-2 on aggregate in the first round.
South Africa secured a 3-1 away victory in Ismaila on Sunday to seal passage to the second round after the many changes made by Molefi Ntseki bore fruit.
With the likes of Orlando Pirates forward Monnapule Saleng dropped after a laboured display in the first leg, captain Neo Maema gave Bafana Bafana the lead after 15 minutes before SuperSport United’s Yandisa Mfolozi made it 2-0 after 26 minutes.
Egypt, however, pulled one back through Abouelenein in the 32nd minute and that is how it remained up to the halftime whistle.
What is next for Bafana Bafana?
After the break, Bafana Bafana won a penalty, which was converted by Siphelele Luthuli just five minutes after restart, and that is how it remained until the final whistle.
Having played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg last Sunday, South Africa won the game 4-2 on aggregate and will now face Malawi in the final round of the qualifiers for a chance to play in the tournament in East Africa.
CHAN 2024 will take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August this year and South Africa are among seven teams whose qualification was delayed owing to a number of reasons.
Bafana Bafana will head into the two-legged fixture against Malawi high on confidence after overcoming Egypt, considered the toughest team in the delayed qualifiers.