Bafana Bafana started their 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers with a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt after coming from behind to level matters at the Free State Stadium on Sunday.
South Africa looked like they were headed for a home defeat, after Mohamed Hassan had given the Pharaohs the lead, but Jamie Webber levelled matters 14 minutes from time to save the home side.
Having started training on Wednesday, the lack of understating and cohesion was evident from Bafana Bafana’s display with a toothless first half when goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu barely made a save.
Saleng involved but…
With Orlando Pirates star Monnapule Saleng among the star acts, the exiled winger had the first opportunity for South Africa when he found some space and tested the Egypt goalkeeper in the eighth minute.
After a goalless first half, coach Molefi Ntseki made a couple of changes, bringing in Aphelele Teto for Tendamudzimu Matodzi on the right wing while Siyethemba Sithebe replaced Siphelele Sithuli just past the hour mark.
However, it was the Egyptians who broke the deadlock when Hassan fired home a volley that Xulu could not deal with.
When is the return leg?
It was a goal that woke up the hosts, who would respond in the 76th minute, when Webber found the top corner with a fine strike.
The draw is not a good result for South Africa as Egypt secured a vital away goal which could see them advance to the next round if they managed a goalless stalemate in the return leg.
The return leg is scheduled for March 9 in Cairo where the winner of the tie will take on either Malawi or Comoros in the final round of the qualifiers for a chance to feature at the tournament slated for August in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
